It has emerged that some opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) polling agents are withdrawing their participation after receiving unspecified threats.
CCC deputy secretary for elections Ellen Shiriyendenga claimed their polling agents are pulling out due to fear after having been intimidated by suspected ZANU PF activists and traditional leaders in rural areas.
Shiriyedenga said the rate at which some polling agents are pulling out was worrisome. Shiriyedenga said:
We are getting a worrying trend with regards to our polling agents. Particularly you go to Marondera East, Murewa South and also Mwenezi South, where we are having our polling agents being intimidated to an extent that some actually withdrew out of fear and that culture of fear is going unabated.
So we are saying the responsible bodies, do the right thing.
CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere also said that there have been reports of bribes and fear being instilled in citizens with their political rivals. Mahere said:
We do not want any illegal conduct at polling stations. We have received reports already of threats being made by certain traditional leaders who are acting unlawfully in a partisan manner. We have heard threats of intimidation. We have heard reports that names are going to be taken down and follow-ups will be made on them. That simply has to stop.
Mahere added that CCC’s elections directorate headed up by councillor Ian Makoni and his deputy Ellen Shiriyedenga are working round the clock to ensure polling agents are deployed in all the wards and constituencies.
Meanwhile, the party has claimed that some of its polling agents are being turned away by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) which is saying they are not registered with the commission.
More: NewZimbabwe.com
Why do you go for elections kana muchiti mukadyiwa moti its rigging? Since last year you were talking about rigging do you think the voters will have confidence in you. Change the game mudyiwe zvakanaka. Asi vana vadiki munga dyiwe nemadhara akapusa kudai you should have better rigging than these war vets who have never been to school. By cry babying you are telling the world & voters that you are so stupid and hopeless.
More than 20 supporters of CCC who was with me in the que have pulled out after reading this. Nyararai mozotaura tavota. Aaaa ooo vamwe vavakutoenda futi, you guys muri ve Zanu chete.
Free and fair elections in Zimbabwe under tyrannic ZanuPF remains an albatross for this country..