Polling stations open late, frustrating Zimbabweans who want to vote
The ZEC says holdups have largely been caused by delays in the printing of ballot papers, arising from court challenges
23 August 2023 - 12:44
bySharon Mazingaizo
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Supporters of Nelson Chamisa, the leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition, the Citizens Coalition for Change, pictured in Harare. Picture: REUTERS/PHILIMON BULAWAYO.
Voting is under way in Zimbabwe’s second general election since a 2017 coup removed former president Robert Mugabe.
About 6.6-million voters are going to the polls today to cast their ballots to elect a new president, MPs and councillors. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced that 12,370 polling stations would be used in the election.
The voting process has been marred by delays in opening polling stations. In a statement, the ZEC said polling stations opened late “due to the late deployment of election material”.
“Delays in the opening have largely been caused by delays in printing of the ballot papers arising from court challenges. This has been the case with Harare and Bulawayo provinces.
“The public is advised that all polling stations that opened late for reasons beyond the control of the presiding officer will remain open to cater for the period of the delay, keeping in mind the polling station must remain open for a continuous period of at least 12 hours on polling day,” said the ZEC.
The delays meant voters had to wait longer to cast their ballots.
Susan Zviremba said she was disappointed. “I came to the polling station early in the morning but had to wait a few hours for the station to open. It is very disheartening,” said Zviremba.
The electoral body said presidential election results would be announced within five days of polling day at ZEC national collation centres across Zimbabwe.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Polling stations open late, frustrating Zimbabweans who want to vote
The ZEC says holdups have largely been caused by delays in the printing of ballot papers, arising from court challenges
Voting is under way in Zimbabwe’s second general election since a 2017 coup removed former president Robert Mugabe.
About 6.6-million voters are going to the polls today to cast their ballots to elect a new president, MPs and councillors. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced that 12,370 polling stations would be used in the election.
The voting process has been marred by delays in opening polling stations. In a statement, the ZEC said polling stations opened late “due to the late deployment of election material”.
“Delays in the opening have largely been caused by delays in printing of the ballot papers arising from court challenges. This has been the case with Harare and Bulawayo provinces.
“The public is advised that all polling stations that opened late for reasons beyond the control of the presiding officer will remain open to cater for the period of the delay, keeping in mind the polling station must remain open for a continuous period of at least 12 hours on polling day,” said the ZEC.
The delays meant voters had to wait longer to cast their ballots.
Susan Zviremba said she was disappointed. “I came to the polling station early in the morning but had to wait a few hours for the station to open. It is very disheartening,” said Zviremba.
The electoral body said presidential election results would be announced within five days of polling day at ZEC national collation centres across Zimbabwe.
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