Zimbabwe Elections: Voters Left Waiting In Queues As ‘The Crocodile’ Accused Of Rigging Polls
Delays, rigging claims and questionable tactics marked the first day of the 2023 Zimbabwe national elections.
With voters in some wards around the country (with a population of 16 million) kept waiting hours to cast their vote as ballot materials had not arrived, election watchdogs have raised concerns that the ruling party – the Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU–PF) – is using delaying tactics in an attempt to dishearten voters and force them to give up and go home.
Lovin Malta spoke to one Zimbabwe man – a religious pastor who asked to be kept anonymous out of fear of retribution – who attempted to vote within Ward 15, in East Zimbabwe.
“I woke up early, excited about exercising my right to vote,” he told Lovin Malta.
“I was at the Ward 15 Cold Comfort polling station at 9am, but to my surprise voting had not begun because the polling station was waiting for the presiding officer and they were waiting for ballot papers,” he said. “Voting was supposed to have begun at 7am and end at 7pm. It’s now 5pm and voting has not yet started.”
Potential voters were left in uncomfortable circumstances for long hours in the hot weather.
“I am feeling frustrated, exhausted and hungry. I have been feeding on snacks the whole day and wishing for a proper meal.”
“The heat of the sunny weather has left us so exhausted,” he pointed out.
“Many are feeling the same but determined to exercise their vote. People are prepared to wait to exercise their vote hoping to change things in our country. Some of the people were saying they came to the polling station as early as 6am to bit the queues, one can only imagine the disappointment. We continue to wait and hope for the best.”
Day turns to night as voters wait
This election has seen two men emerge as the potential leaders of the landlocked Southern African nation – 80-year-old sitting President Emmerson ‘The Crocodile’ Mnangagwa and 45-year-old Nelson Chamisa, Leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
Mnangagwa, a former spy known for his shrewdness and cunning, was a close aid of former President Robert Mugabe, taking over in 2017 following his resignation. He had pitched himself as a reformer, but many believe he is even more repressive than Mugabe, a globally known dictator.
The Crocodile shared an image of himself voting alongside a message calling to “uphold the values of democracy and celebrate togetherness”.
Today is a very important day for our great nation. Let us remember the importance of unity and peace. The power to shape our future lies in our hands. Let’s uphold the values of democracy and celebrate togetherness. #ZimbabweElections2023 🇿🇼 pic.twitter.com/knH6gsIMwi
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) August 23, 2023
In light of the elections delays and other issues – for example, some wards woke up to find falsified posters, credited to Chamisa, urging people not to vote – Chamisa, had strong words for the governing ZANU-PF party
“This is a clear case of voter suppression, a classic case of Stone Age, antiquated, analog rigging,” he told Zimbabwe media amid the delays.
However, just hours ago he took to social media to say “against all odds we are winning!”
AGAINST ALL ODDS!! WE’RE WINNING!!
— nelson chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) August 24, 2023
Polling stations that opened on time also closed on time yesterday evening, however, many voters would not give up, staying in line late into the night in the hopes of voting in a new government that could bring new life to the burgeoning African nation.
Election results are expected to be announced within four days.
Who do you think will win the 2023 Zimbabwe national elections?
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