The one horse race limps on: a second round up from around the country

Kariba

It has been reported that you can hear a pin drop in this small town. However, Zanu PF representatives went to all businesses yesterday and collected ID Nos of all they could, threatening that they would check if the people had voted. Kariba is such a small town that everyone knows everyone and so there will probably be high turnout.

Harare

Just about the only people to be seen at the polling stations are the police, still reading their newspapers. One activist reported they are entirely miserable and when she attempted smiling at them she was given a distinct growl.

Today’s election is a general non-event.

There are very few cars on the roads except for chefs and army personnel smugly driving around in brand new state of the art sport and 4×4 vehicles. Harare is now renowned for its high number of Mercedes Benzs. They are so new the plastic on the head rests have not yet been removed. Whenever passing State House one can see convoys of these vehicles.

Anxiety in the capital is high with rumours abounding that at the close of poll anyone on the street will be attacked. It would be a good idea to warn residents to stay home tonight after 7pm.

Another rumour that is circulating is that militia camps in the rural areas are being shut down in order to move the perpetrators of violence into the urban areas. Several activists have reported threats have been issued warning of violence to come following the counting of ballots.

Chitungwiza

State agents are circulating in groups, forcing people to go to the polls and escorting them to polling stations. They are being told to write down the number of the ballot paper on their hands and have to show the number once they have voted.

Mbare

It has been reported that there have been isolated cases of violence this morning when forcing people to go vote.

Bulawayo

The highest turn out reported so far is in Paddonhurst, right next door to Brady Barracks. The sum total of 5 voters were seen loitering in the queue there! On the 29/3 the voting queue went right around the block, and this is the only ward in the constituency where Zanu PF won.

The vast majority of polling stations visited have not one voter in the queue.

The police surely must be tired of reading and rereading the Chronic. A friend recently met a journalist from this esteemed rag and when she referred to his paper as the Chronic, he responded, “Ah, you refer to my paper as a disease!”

Gweru

Like all other centres very low turnout.  There is an eerie calm in the town, they have been warned of the “celebration” being prepare for by Zanu PF tomorrow.

Lowveld

The town remains quiet and turnout is very low.

Rural Areas

Most areas are sending in communications that people are being forced to vote. One activist bemoaned the fact that he should have distributed pink ink in advance so the thugs could not accuse anyone of not having a pink finger.

In one constituency the militia recently beat their own supporters who had Zanu PF cards and T-shirts to show, but they were still battered - the militia do not believe anyone any more. One wonders who they have voted for?

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