HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — In an election that poses one of the biggest threats to President Robert Mugabe’s 33-year grip on power, Zimbabweans flocked to polling stations Wednesday despite suspicions that vote-counting could be rigged in a nation beset by bitter division and economic hardship.
Bundled against the winter chill, thousands of voters stood patiently in long lines in the poor Harare township of Mbare and other areas. Observers said turnout was high, reflecting the critical stakes of a race that was relatively peaceful in contrast with violent elections in 2008.Activists believe a big turnout is likely to favour Mugabe’s popular challenger, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, by blunting the impact of any manipulation of voters’ rolls. Mugabe, who barred Western observer missions, says allegations of vote-rigging amount to mudslinging by opponents.“Things are going well at this stage of the process,” said Nikita Buturlin, an observer from the Russian Federation. “The numbers are impressive. If there are difficulties, they will come later.”Some voters were wary, bringing their own pens into the voting booth after hearing rumours that the ink in state-provided pens would disappear after several hours, enabling ballot manipulation.Ten public buses from South Africa carrying expatriate voters from Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change party were impounded at the border to Zimbabwe, said party member Gilbert Maganda.In a telephone interview with The Associated Press, Maganda speculated that police stopped the buses in order to prevent people from voting. His allegation could not be confirmed, but security forces have used similar tactics in past elections.Mugabe, 89, has said he would step down if he loses. Many Zimbabweans find it hard to believe that the wily politician, who led the country to independence in 1980 and has the backing of the security forces, would relinquish control even if the vote doesn’t go his way.“So far, so good,” Mugabe said after voting in Harare’s western Highfield township. He said he expected to be re-elected.“We will have lots of things to do to get our economy back on its feet,” he said.Tsvangirai, who had been in an uneasy power-sharing arrangement with Mugabe, cast his ballot in northern Harare.“We have come to complete the change we have always fought for,” he said. “It is an emotional moment for me but I am filled with a sense of calmness.”The coalition between the two rivals was forged by regional leaders after Zimbabwe’s last disputed election in 2008.Zimbabwe’s shaky government was effectively dissolved on Wednesday; Mugabe and Tsvangirai have each predicted outright victory that would avoid the formation of another coalition.Half the population of 12.9 million is eligible to vote. The state election body has said administrative, logistical and funding problems hindered voting arrangements, but said the problems have been fixed at the more than 9,000 polling stations nationwide.Previous elections in 2002 and 2008 were marred by allegations of vote-rigging and political violence. Like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/jamaicaobserverFollow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/JamaicaObserverHOUSE RULES
1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.
2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
5. Please don’t use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed:mailto:advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy
comments powered byView the original article here
Big turnout for vote on Mugabe"s fate
