Election Update No 2
ELECTION UPDATES
Zanu Pf youths are reported to be forcing people Egodini bus terminus in central Bulawayo and surrounding areas to go and vote. The area around Tredgold Magistrates courts, haven for black market foreign currency traders was cleared after the youths demanded to have a look at their fingers to see whether they had voted.
Less than 2000 people had voted in 15 out of 18 polling stations in the Mpopoma /Pelandaba by-election by 1p.m. today.
The residents of Njube in Bulawayo have taken heed to the announcement by the MDC not to go and vote. Most people seem relaxed at their homes while a good number are at Njube Beer Hall.
The Midlands city of Gweru was deathly quiet this morning and residents preferred to stay at home. At polling stations visited, there were no more than 8 people queued to vote. However, as the day wore on, people began to venture out assured that no harm would visit them. Gweru has experienced unprecedented intimidation and beatings by police and people in military uniform in the period preceding the run-off.
At Chinotimba Primary School, 75 people had voted and 10 turned away by 11am this morning. At Chamabondo School, 250 people had voted by lunchtime and there were no observers at the polling station. Only Zanu Pf election agents were in attendance.
Yesterday in Qhubuthando, the home of an MDC activist whose name has not been disclosed was burnt down by suspected Zanu PF supporters in retaliation for an attack on a Zanu PF member last week who was allegedly axed by suspected MDC activists. The axed victim was then carried in a vehicle accompanied by a doctor that later overturned its way to Bulawayo injuring the doctor. They were both admitted into a hospital in Bulawayo.
Bulawayo Agenda Information Department
E-mails: byagenda@mweb.co.zw
Blog: www.bulawayo_agenda.blog.com
Web: www.agenda.org.zw
Phone/Fax: +263-(0)9-88821 Mobile: 0912516724
Bulawayo Agenda is compiling Election Updates from reports and alerts from its network of contacts located in areas served by its chapters monitoring the 27 June run-off and by-elections.
Election Update No. 2
BULAWAYO
Zanu Pf youths are reported to be forcing people Egodini bus terminus in central Bulawayo and surrounding areas to go and vote. The area around Tredgold Magistrates courts, haven for black market foreign currency traders was cleared after the youths demanded to have a look at their fingers to see whether they had voted.
More than 30 commuter omnibuses still have posters of Robert Mugabe adorned on them contravening the Electoral Act well into the election. They have to keep the posters on in order to receive cheap fuel.
MPOPOMA
Less than 2000 people had voted in 15 out of 18 polling stations in the Mpopoma /Pelandaba by-election by 1p.m. today.
By 11.30am, at Minyela Hall, 200 people had voted though most refused to collect the Presidential ballot while others said they had spoiled the paper.
Two activists, bringing food for election agents, have been arrested in Mpopoma where a by-election is taking place. The charge is not known. They are detained at Western Commonage police station
NJUBE
The residents of Njube in Bulawayo have taken heed to the announcement by the MDC not to go and vote. Most people seem relaxed at their homes while a good number are at Njube Beer Hall.
GWERU
The Midlands city of Gweru was deathly quiet this morning and residents preferred to stay at home. At polling stations visited, there were no more than 8 people queued to vote. However, as the day wore on, people began to venture out assured that no harm would visit them. Gweru has experienced unprecedented intimidation and beatings by police and people in military uniform in the period preceding the run-off.
VICTORIA FALLS
At Chinotimba Primary School, 75 people had voted and 10 turned away by 11am this morning. At Chamabondo School, 250 people had voted by lunchtime and there were no observers at the polling station. Only Zanu Pf election agents were in attendance.
NKAYI
Yesterday in Qhubuthando, the home of an MDC activist whose name has not been disclosed was burnt down by suspected Zanu PF supporters in retaliation for an attack on a Zanu PF member last week who was allegedly axed by suspected MDC activists. The axed victim was then carried in a vehicle accompanied by a doctor that later overturned its way to Bulawayo injuring the doctor. They were both admitted into a hospital in Bulawayo.
ZANU PF polling agents were yesterday telling the villagers in Nkayi that Morgan Tsvangirai had announced that his supporters should go and vote.
Contact:
Bulawayo Agenda Information Department
E-mails: byagenda@mweb.co.zw
Blog: www.bulawayo_agenda.blog.com
Web: www.agenda.org.zw
Phone/Fax: +263-(0)9-88821 Mobile: 0912516724
