Opinion / Columnist
Countering voter intimidation and election violence in Zimbabwe
30 May 2018 at 19:42hrs | Views
Today a peace initiative in Zimbabwe to counter voter intimidation and election violence has been launched. Calling themselves 'We the people of Zimbabwe' they have provided telephone numbers to the voters of Zimbabwe which they can phone to report any concerns. Their control room goes live today. For their information and advice, please check: http://www.zimvigil.co.uk/vigil-news/campaign-news/942-we-the-people-of-zimbabwe-anything-to-report-in-your-community-.
Zimbabwe Vigil Co-ordinators
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 17.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk.
WE THE PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE - anything to report in your community?
Information to look out for
Before Election Day
In your community are people being:
Forced to do what they do not want to do
Threatened with violence
Beaten up and assaulted
In your community are there:
Suspicious people moving in your area
Any political bases
Political parties not able to campaign freely
People being given things during campaigns
People threatening violence if a party does not win
On Election Day
In your community are people:
Not able to get to polling stations freely
Being questioned or asked to queue in a certain manner
Being bussed to the polling station
Being asked if and how they voted
Noticing traditional leaders playing a role in elections
Not being allowed to vote or not able to vote
At your polling station are there:
ZEC officers and police who are not listening to people's complaints
Voting slips being used to vote
Ballot papers outside the polling station
People being assisted to vote
Any suspicious movements around ballot boxes
Any political bases
After Election Day
In your community are there:
Delays in announcing and posting voting results at polling stations
Any beatings and threats linked to election results
People asking how you or anyone else voted
Any political bases
Any suspicious people moving around
Types of violation
People being forced to do what they do not want to do – code green
People being threatened with violence – code orange
There has been violence – code red
Electoral malpractices – forced to vote, queue, registration – code black
All – code white
Telephone numbers to contact – all messages and calls to these numbers are FREE (at no cost to you)
From any line, phone us on 08677 007 479
If you use an Econet line, send a free SMS message to 08080240
If you use a Net One line, send a free SMS message to 08010085
When you call tell us the colour code of the incident and where you are calling from. We will respond to all your messages and calls.
Safety and security tips
You can take simple but important steps to protect yourself and help others at the same time. The first and more important one is always to have a plan to stay safe.
The safety of your family is very important. You should take the time to talk with your family about any safety concerns.
Your neighbours and your community can work together to keep each other safe. Together you should make a plan.
Sometimes even though you have made a plan you might be in a dangerous situation.
You always want to have some emergency items prepared in case there is an emergency and you have to leave your home.
Sometimes people get hurt or sick and it is hard to get to a clinic. You can be a helper and call the members at the front for help.
In a dangerous situation your property may be destroyed or stolen or your home may be damaged. You can take important steps to record what has happened.
Sometimes violence happens and people get hurt or even killed. You can take important steps to record what has happened and share the information.
Zimbabwe Vigil Co-ordinators
The Vigil, outside the Zimbabwe Embassy, 429 Strand, London, takes place every Saturday from 14.00 to 17.00 to protest against gross violations of human rights in Zimbabwe. The Vigil which started in October 2002 will continue until internationally-monitored, free and fair elections are held in Zimbabwe. http://www.zimvigil.co.uk.
WE THE PEOPLE OF ZIMBABWE - anything to report in your community?
Information to look out for
Before Election Day
In your community are people being:
Forced to do what they do not want to do
Threatened with violence
Beaten up and assaulted
In your community are there:
Suspicious people moving in your area
Any political bases
Political parties not able to campaign freely
People being given things during campaigns
People threatening violence if a party does not win
On Election Day
In your community are people:
Not able to get to polling stations freely
Being questioned or asked to queue in a certain manner
Being bussed to the polling station
Being asked if and how they voted
Noticing traditional leaders playing a role in elections
Not being allowed to vote or not able to vote
At your polling station are there:
Voting slips being used to vote
Ballot papers outside the polling station
People being assisted to vote
Any suspicious movements around ballot boxes
Any political bases
After Election Day
In your community are there:
Delays in announcing and posting voting results at polling stations
Any beatings and threats linked to election results
People asking how you or anyone else voted
Any political bases
Any suspicious people moving around
Types of violation
People being forced to do what they do not want to do – code green
People being threatened with violence – code orange
There has been violence – code red
Electoral malpractices – forced to vote, queue, registration – code black
All – code white
Telephone numbers to contact – all messages and calls to these numbers are FREE (at no cost to you)
From any line, phone us on 08677 007 479
If you use an Econet line, send a free SMS message to 08080240
If you use a Net One line, send a free SMS message to 08010085
When you call tell us the colour code of the incident and where you are calling from. We will respond to all your messages and calls.
Safety and security tips
You can take simple but important steps to protect yourself and help others at the same time. The first and more important one is always to have a plan to stay safe.
The safety of your family is very important. You should take the time to talk with your family about any safety concerns.
Your neighbours and your community can work together to keep each other safe. Together you should make a plan.
Sometimes even though you have made a plan you might be in a dangerous situation.
You always want to have some emergency items prepared in case there is an emergency and you have to leave your home.
Sometimes people get hurt or sick and it is hard to get to a clinic. You can be a helper and call the members at the front for help.
In a dangerous situation your property may be destroyed or stolen or your home may be damaged. You can take important steps to record what has happened.
Sometimes violence happens and people get hurt or even killed. You can take important steps to record what has happened and share the information.
Source - Zimvigil Co-ordinator
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