News / National
Voter Intimidation on the Rise in Bikita West?
17 Jan 2017 at 23:09hrs | Views
Voter intimidation is reported to have gone a step up in Bikita West ahead of the by elections set for this week.
Heal Zimbabwe re[ported that as the count down goes on ahead of the polls intimidation is increasing in the constituency.
"Final mega rallies are scheduled to take place this week with Zanu PF holding its last one on Wednesday 18th and ZimPF on January 19 respectively. Between 12-15th January alone, Heal Zimbabwe recorded 33 cases of human rights violations mostly perpetrated by Zanu PF against opposition members and the electorate in general. Intimidation constituted 69% of the total violations recorded followed by 19% of unfair food and farming inputs distribution and forced attendance to political gatherings recording 6%. Disrupted political gatherings and destruction of campaign material recorded 3% each," reads the report.
"Intimidation cases observed are mainly through harvesting of fear using past experiences of political violence, particularly the 2008 elections, which left the community torn."
Heal Zimbabwe said the recorded human rights violations in all the 11 wards in Bikita West constituency unlike in the last instalment observations (published on 12 January 2017) where 9 of the 11 wards had a record of violations.
"The continuous involvement of traditional leaders in mobilising citizens to political gatherings and in perpetuating political intimidation remains unacceptable as it is against the constitution (Section 281-282). However, it is plausible that there are no visible cases of torture, murder, abductions and other gross human rights violations," reads the report.
"Citizens should become more conscious of their surroundings in order to protect themselves from violence and intimidation. We anticipate a further increase on intimidation cases and a surge in forced participation in political gatherings given the number of scheduled mega rallies in the next few days. Political canvassing will intensify in these campaign finishing days. We also implore political parties and independent candidates to campaign peacefully and desist from using violent strategies that are likely to compromise the participation of Bikita West voters."
Heal Zimbabwe re[ported that as the count down goes on ahead of the polls intimidation is increasing in the constituency.
"Final mega rallies are scheduled to take place this week with Zanu PF holding its last one on Wednesday 18th and ZimPF on January 19 respectively. Between 12-15th January alone, Heal Zimbabwe recorded 33 cases of human rights violations mostly perpetrated by Zanu PF against opposition members and the electorate in general. Intimidation constituted 69% of the total violations recorded followed by 19% of unfair food and farming inputs distribution and forced attendance to political gatherings recording 6%. Disrupted political gatherings and destruction of campaign material recorded 3% each," reads the report.
"Intimidation cases observed are mainly through harvesting of fear using past experiences of political violence, particularly the 2008 elections, which left the community torn."
Heal Zimbabwe said the recorded human rights violations in all the 11 wards in Bikita West constituency unlike in the last instalment observations (published on 12 January 2017) where 9 of the 11 wards had a record of violations.
"The continuous involvement of traditional leaders in mobilising citizens to political gatherings and in perpetuating political intimidation remains unacceptable as it is against the constitution (Section 281-282). However, it is plausible that there are no visible cases of torture, murder, abductions and other gross human rights violations," reads the report.
"Citizens should become more conscious of their surroundings in order to protect themselves from violence and intimidation. We anticipate a further increase on intimidation cases and a surge in forced participation in political gatherings given the number of scheduled mega rallies in the next few days. Political canvassing will intensify in these campaign finishing days. We also implore political parties and independent candidates to campaign peacefully and desist from using violent strategies that are likely to compromise the participation of Bikita West voters."
Source - Byo24News
