Zimbabwe Harmonised Elections 2013 Live Blog

1930: All long queues were cleared in Mufakose well before the 7 PM deadline.

Voters impatiently wait to cast their votes at a poling station at Caledonia in Goromonzi South

1915: Most of the polling stations in Harare have managed to clear the long queues that were prevalent this morning with the exception of Hopley Farm. Only three polling stations are still open in Harare South, Dhirihori, and St Johns Retreat Farms A and B.

Harare South 2
Finally Voters cast their votes at a poling station at
Caledonia in Goromonzi South, its already 19:10pm (pictures by John Manzongo)
Harare South 3

Finally Voters cast their votes at a poling station at
Caledonia in Goromonzi South, its already 19:10pm (pictures by John Manzongo)

 

 

Harare South 1

1912:  The Chronicle reports that before the closing time of 7pm, there were no more voters in Gwayi constituency.

Harare South 4

1900: A total of 18 535 people have cast their votes in Norton since morning. 1 813 were turned away as their names were not on the voters roll whilst some went to wrong wards or failed to produce registration slips from the RGV.

 LATEST UPDATES AFTER THE 19:00 HRS DEADLINE

AMBASSADOR MUTSVANGWA

18:50: Police have arrested 40 cross-boarder buses carrying 111 people with the intention of border jumping. It is yet to be ascertained if they are all Zimbabweans. 11  bus crew members have been arrested.

18:38:  Another arrest was in Mabvuku where Fransisco Zhuwawo caused chaos in Mabvuku-Tafara where he is an aspiring councilor candidate. Zhuwawo ran over two voters in an attempt to evade arrest. Police also arrested Joseph Sindawawu who stole a bag containing more than US$1 000 from an Ethiopian observer in Harare.

18:34:  Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba says the atmosphere had been calm throughout many centres as people cast their vote. She was addressing journalists later this afternoon in Harare.  She however said they had received three cases of stolen copies of the voters roll in Budiriro. The accused is MDC-T agent identified as Anna Bvute who is currently in police custody. Also in Masvingo, Cosmos Kamba was arrested after he was found in possession of SV11 forms.

1803: Police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba says the atmosphere had been calm throughout many centres as people cast their vote.

1755: In Norton, 18 535 had cast their vote by 5 pm, while 1 813 had  been turned away as ,they were not on the voters’ roll

Election tools . . .polling officers ready to roll earlier today at Buhera Shopping center polling station.

Election tools . . .polling officers ready to roll earlier today at Buhera Shopping center polling station.

1753: Guruve North: Polling officers agree to increase the number of personnel verifying a person’s eligibility. They have also agreed to increase polling booths. Approximately 15 000 people had cast their vote by 4 pm, while 594 had been turned away for various reasons.

Voters at Buhera shopping centre polling station in the morning.

Voters at Buhera centre polling station in the morning.

1743: Long winding queues can still be seen at most polling stations in Hurungwe East.

Verification of a candidate at Buhera Shopping Center.

Verification of a candidate at Buhera Shopping Center.

1739: Zanu PF candidate for Hurungwe Central Cde Sarah Mahoka says she was pleased with the voter turnout in her constituency.

1736: By 5 pm, there were still long winding queues in Hurungwe East.

1733: In Hurungwe Central, presiding officer MrJervas Bowora said there were no cases of political violence though there were reports that Jomic members were going near the polling stations urging people to vote for MDC-T. A teacher at Chipango Primary polling station was also allegedly doing the same. Zanu PF parliamentary candidate for Hurungwe Central Cde Godfrey Beremauro says his party has since reported the matter to ZEC offices.

1717: Voting at Matau Primary School in Hurungwe had queues that had  mostly the elderly. At Chivakanenyama there were long queues of up to more than 400 people. Presiding officer Mr Edmore Kondo said the availabililty of only one voters’ roll was delaying the process and they were not likely to clear the people.

ZEC presiding officer Clever Mutsigiri checking the ballot box at Buhera shopping centre rank polling station early in the morning just before voting commenced.

ZEC presiding officer Clever Mutsigiri checking the ballot box at Buhera shopping centre rank polling station early in the morning just before voting commenced.

 

 

Jomic observers after voting at Muzokomba Primary School in Buhera South.

Jomic observers after voting at Muzokomba Primary School in Buhera South.

1706: Kwekwe Central: 29 elders including two who are blind  assisted to vote.

A Scare-crow is used to direct voters to a polling station in Buhera South. -Pic by Munyaradzi Chamalimba.

A Scare-crow is used to direct voters to a polling station in Buhera South. -Pic by Munyaradzi Chamalimba.

1658: Six candidates including 2 independent are contesting the Gweru Urban seat. These are Cde Christopher Gwatidzo (Zanu PF) who is a lecturer at MSU, Sesel Zvidzai (MDC-T), former Gweru mayor Tadious  Chimombe (independent), Theresa Muchovo (MDC), Emma Mpofu (Zapu) and Passmore  Mabuka (independent).

A polling officer seals a ballot box for presidential candidates under a watchful eye of ZEC presiding officer Clever Mutsigiri at Murambinda shoopping centre polling station.

A polling officer seals a ballot box for presidential candidates under a watchful eye of ZEC presiding officer Clever Mutsigiri at Murambinda shoopping centre polling station.

1650: At Child Welfare Clinic polling station in Ward 18, Gweru Urban, the presiding officer Mrs Grenny Kazenga says 54 people have so far been turned away because they did not belong to that Ward.

Voters wait to vote at Gandanzara Primary school in Makoni South.

Voters wait to vote at Gandanzara Primary school in Makoni South.

 

1636: Long queues still stretching more than 30 meters in Chiwundura Constituency, at Anderson Primary School.

Michael Kamukondiwa, a polling agent, takes time off to have lunch at Musaringo Primary School in Makoni South.

Michael Kamukondiwa, a polling agent, takes time off to have lunch at Musaringo Primary School in Makoni South.

 

1633: In Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe Constituency where Defence Minister Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa is battling it out with Ishmael Jeko (MDC-T) and Janet Zinyemba (MDC), most polling stations are characterised by long queues.

1623: In Mkoba Constituency Ward 7, a long  queue of prospective voters had formed as early as 6 am at a polling station near Mambo shopping centre.

1615: Gweru Urban: Queues started forming as early as 6 am. Voting progressing well.

Cde Sekeramayi and Cde Kaukonde follow proceedings to cast their votes.

Cde Sekeramayi and Cde Kaukonde follow proceedings to cast their votes.

 

1550: At Mwanza Primary school in Goromonzi North, the elderly are complaining that they have been waiting for hours before they could  vote. 14 were turned away for various reasons.

1545: Officials at St Johns said voting had been delayed by cancellation  of people’s names from the special voting list. Goromonzi North is being contested by Zanu PF candidate Cde Paddy Zhanda, Banda Muziwake of MDC-T  and Eliyah Stanford of MDC.

Voters brace the cold weather as they warm themselves waiting to cast their votes

Voters brace the cold weather as they warm themselves waiting to cast their votes

 

1530: Voting progressing well in Goromonzi North. By this afternoon, more than 300 people had cast their ballots at  St Johns Chikwaka.

1510: The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission also expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the elections so far at a news conference held this afternoon.

ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau and her deputy Mrs Leticia Kazembe update the media on the ongoing electoral process at HICC this afternoon

ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau and her deputy Mrs Leticia Kazembe update the media on the ongoing electoral process at HICC this afternoon

1506: However MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirayi said the election process was going on smoothly.

1500: MDC-T seretary general Tendai Biti held a news conference in Harare this afternoon where he tried to discredit the election process.

1438: There are long queues at most polling stations in Mt Darwin South where Cde Saviour Kasukuwere of Zanu PF is battling it out with Mr Gift Sambami of the MDC-T and Henry Chimbiri of MDC. At Kandeya business centre 441 people had voted by 1pm and 66 had  been turned away.

VP Mujuru cast her ballot at Chihoko primary school in Dotito, Mt Darwin

VP Mujuru cast her ballot at Chihoko primary school in Dotito, Mt Darwin

 

VP Mujuru cast her ballot at Chihoko primary school in Dotito, Dt Darwin

VP Mujuru cast her ballot at Chihoko primary school in Dotito, Dt Darwin

 

 

Faina Nyanhete and Beni Nyamhuka of Mukombwe village, Chief Dotito after voting at Chihoko primary school in Dotito, Mt Darwin

Faina Nyanhete and Beni Nyamhuka of Mukombwe village, Chief Dotito after voting at Chihoko primary school in Dotito, Mt Darwin

 

Simba Makoni voted at Ndingi Primary school in Makoni central Manicaland Province earlier today

Simba Makoni voted at Ndingi Primary school in Makoni central Manicaland Province earlier today

1356: In Chikomba East chief elections officer Mr John Gumunyu said 3 817 people had cast their ballots by midday without any single case of violence having been reported. The constituency has got 31 polling stations but is failing to access one polling station due  to communication problems.

Obasanjo

Mr Obasanjo in Warren Park Ward 5, touring polling stations

1349: Polling stations in Umguza have run out of ballot papers these include Nganda School in Nyamandlovu. There are long queues as people are waiting to get ballot papers.

ZAPU leader Dumiso Dabengwa cast his vote at Fourwinds polling station in Bulawayo East Constituency at 0800hrs.

ZAPU leader Dumiso Dabengwa cast his vote at Fourwinds polling station in Bulawayo East Constituency at 0800hrs.

1343: Most shops are now open in Tsholotsho as workers voted in the morning. A few remain closed but are expected to be open by 2pm.

ZANU PF Makokoba constituency retired colonel Tshinga Dube arrive at Stanely Hall polling station after voting in Makokoba Bulawayo yesterday.

ZANU PF Makokoba constituency retired colonel Tshinga Dube arrive at Stanely Hall polling station after voting in Makokoba Bulawayo yesterday.

1341: In Gutu South, as of midday at ward 28 Chimedza Primary School 234 people have voted while 17 have been turned away.

MDC president Welshman Ncube and wife Thobekile go through the voting process at Stanely Hall in Makokoba Bulawayo at 1015am.

MDC president Welshman Ncube and wife Thobekile go through the voting process at Stanely Hall in Makokoba Bulawayo at 1015am.

1334: At Muzarabani community hall in Muzarabani North, the voting process is slow and voters are complaining with saying they been in the queue for five hours.

MDC-N leader Professor Welshman Ncube cast his vote at Stanley Hall in Makokoba Bulawayo at 1015.

1326: Unregistered Jomic officials tried to observe elections in Rafingora, Zvimba North but Mr Kennedy Maturure said they chucked them out after realising that they were not accredited by Zec.

The Fourwinds polling station in Bulawayo East constituency where ZAPU president Dumiso Dabengwa cast his vote at 0800.
The Fourwinds polling station in Bulawayo East constituency where ZAPU president Dumiso Dabengwa cast his vote at 0800.

13:20 In Kadoma Central voting is proceeding well.

Queue at Morningside shopping centre in Bulawayo East Constituency at 0830hrs
Queue at Morningside shopping centre in Bulawayo East Constituency at 0830hrs

1158: President Mugabe said the elections are being done  constitutionally and present a chance for the people to demonstrate how they should be governed. Soon after voting together with the first family President Mugabe claims of vote rigging by the MDC-T were mere politicking and said the voting process has gone well so far. He also said Zanu PF will pursue the indigenisation programme vigorously as there is no alternative to the programme.

President Mugabe addresses the media soon after voting at Mhofu Primary School in Highfield
President Mugabe addresses the media soon after voting at Mhofu Primary School in Highfield
President Mugabe addresses the media soon after voting at Mhofu Primary School in Highfield
President Mugabe addresses the media soon after voting at Mhofu Primary School in Highfield
President Mugabe leads the First Family out of Mhofu Primary School polling station in Highfield soon after casting their ballots - (Picture by Believe Nyakudjara)
President Mugabe leads the First Family out of Mhofu Primary School polling station in Highfield soon after casting their ballots – (Picture by Believe Nyakudjara)

President Mugabe addresses the media soon after voting at Mhofu Primary School in Highfield

President Mugabe addresses the media soon after voting at Mhofu Primary School in Highfield
President
President Mugabe casts his ballot while the First Lady and daughter Bona wait for their turn at Mhofu Primary School polling station in Highfield – (Picture by Believe Nyakudjara)

1150: President Mugabe has arrived at Mhofu Primary School in the company of First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe.

President Mugabe casts his vote while observers and political party agents watch at Mhofu Primary School polling station in Highfields
President Mugabe casts his vote while observers and political party agents watch at Mhofu Primary School polling station in Highfields

11:48 Voting is ongoing in Jotsholo clinic in Lupane West. The constituency has 14 wards with 59 polling stations and 31 474 people on the voters’ roll.

President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe watch while Robert Junior cast his vote at Mhofu Primary School polling station in Highfield - (Picture by Believe Nyakudjara)
President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe watch while Robert Junior cast his vote at Mhofu Primary School polling station in Highfield – (Picture by Believe Nyakudjara)

1142: Zapu leader Dumiso Dabengwa cast his vote at 9:10am and said he anticipates a change through the people’s vote.

President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe watch while Robert Junior cast his vote at Mhofu Primary School polling station in Highfield - (Picture by Believe Nyakudjara)
President Mugabe and First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe watch while Robert Junior cast his vote at Mhofu Primary School polling station in Highfield – (Picture by Believe Nyakudjara)

1139: In Matobo North Constituency, voting started off well with 90 percent of the polling stations opening at 7am, according to Mr Marko Dube the presiding officer at the command centre at Matopo Research Station. There are 43 polling stations in the constituency and at Matopo Research Primary School, ward 25, about 65 people had voted at 8:30am.

Mr Morgan Tsvangirai casting his vote
Mr Morgan Tsvangirai casting his vote

1129: Scores of people are at Glen View command centre trying to verify their names that are missing from the voters roll.

Some voters warming themselves before casting their votes in Mt Pleseant Harare today
Some voters warming themselves before casting their votes in Mt Pleasant Harare today

1127: Co Home Affairs Minister Kembo Mohadi has just cast his vote at Beitbridge Primary School in ward of Beitbridge East constituency.

Long queue of of votes at Mt Pleseant High School in Harare today
Long queue of of votes at Mt Pleasant High School in Harare today

1121: Zanu PF’s Cde Obert Mpofu voted at 7:02am at Thembalami polling station in Umguza.

Long queue of of votes at Mt Pleseant High School in Harare today 2
Long queue of of votes at Mt Pleasant High School in Harare today 2

1119: PM Morgan Tsvangirai cast his ballot at 1025 at Mt Pleasant High School. He was accompanied by wife Elizabeth. He said everyone will be allowed to vote today. He commended the high turnout at Mt Pleasant High School.

Long queue of of votes at Mt Pleseant High School in Harare today
Long queue of of votes at Mt Pleseant High School in Harare today

1110: MDC president Prof Welshman Ncube voted at 10:20am at Stanley Hall in Makokoba, Bulawayo. He was accompanied by  wife Thobekile Siwela-Ncube . He was optimistic of victory.

Tonderai Changamika helped his uncle Mazorodze Koroya to cast his ballot at Nyamakuyo Primary School in Mudzi North
Tonderai Changamika helped his uncle Mazorodze Koroya to cast his ballot at Nyamakuyo Primary School in Mudzi North

1103: In Bubi constituency where a total of 31 771 voters are expected to cast their ballots, all polling stations opened at 7am except for Molo in ward 18 which opened at 7:10am due to undisclosed logistical problems. Voters started trickling into the stations at about 8am and a few have been turned away because they are not registered. Some voters, especially from the resettlement areas in Bubi are travelling to Bulawayo or Nkayi where they are registered.

1055: Scores of voters have thronged polling centres across Beitbridge East, most voters were outside the polling centres by 6am, the process at most centres was progressing peacefully.

voters await their turn to cast ballots in kadoma
Voters await their turn to cast ballots in Kadoma

1052: 116 people had cast their vote by 10am at Mhangura town ward 11 polling station.

these elderly women wait to cast their ballots at bosbury school in chegutu
These elderly women wait to cast their ballots at Bosbury school in Chegutu

1045 In Harare’s western surbubs namely Highfield, Glen View and Budiriro, queues are getting longer as it gets warmer. The Zec issued ballot papers are so distinct. The blue ballot paper is for Presidential,pink for the House of Assembly and yellow for Local Government.

people wait to cast their ballots a t a polling station in kadoma
people wait to cast their ballots a t a polling station in Kadoma

1034: Voting started at 7am at Mbare clinic hostels, ward 3. Seven unregistered people were turned away. MDC-T candidate Eric Knight cast his vote there. He said he had no complaints with the process.

people queue to cast their votes at madamombe school in kadoma
People queue to cast their votes at Madamombe school in Kadoma

1031: At Hande polling station in in Buhera North 127 people had cast their votes. In 2008 the constituency was won by Zanu PF’s William Mutomba who had 7 511 votes out of a total of 14 616. He is contesting against MDC-T’s Julius Magarangoma and MDC’s Clever Taruvinga.

people await to cast their ballots at brunswick clinic in chegutu
People await to cast their ballots at Brunswick clinic in Chegutu

1024: Magunje Election Officer Mr Sharp Mutsena said the process is progressing smoothly in all 34 polling stations in the constituency.

part of the elderly peolple who had kam to cast their ballots in kadoma
Part of the elderly peolple who had come to cast their ballots in Kadoma

0934: At Mbalala polling station in Umzingwane, there are long queues. Some people are huddled around fires with blankets.

Voters queue outside Mhofu Primary School polling station where President Mugabe will also cast his ballot this morning

0930: All polling stations visited in Binga North opened at 7am. At Binga Primary School people started to queue as early  as 6am. Local Election Observers in the constituency expressed satisfaction with the voting process thus far. Shorter queues  at Binga Secondary, Binga Library and Khulizwe Lodge but voters continue to trickle in as they brave the drizzly weather.

A voter has her documents checked by polling officers before casting their ballots at Mhofu Primary School polling station in Highfield where President will also cast his vote this morning
A voter has her documents checked by polling officers before casting their ballots at Mhofu Primary School polling station in Highfield where President will also cast his vote this morning

09:24 Voting started at 7am at most polling stations in Chegutu West and is progressing well. Zec has established 65 polling stations to cover the 15 wards that have a combined total of 32 000 eligible voters.

Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa ZANU-PF candidate casting his ballot at Chitimbe Primary this Morning in Uzumba
Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa ZANU-PF candidate casting his vote at Chitimbe Primary this Morning in Uzumba

0916: There are cases of people with registration slips but not appearing on the voters’ roll. At Acardia Farm polling station in Mhangura, polling officer Mr Nelson Madzinga said such cases were being referred to Mhangura Constituency command centre for verification in an electronic database.

0908: Most polling stations opened at 7am in Umzingwane in Matabeleland South. However, voter turnout has been low so far, probably due to chilly weather. Nomalanga Khumalo who defected from MDC to MDC-T is facing Zanu PF’s Cde William Dhewa, MDC’s Ngqabutho Dube, Ms Mildred Ndlovu of Zapu for the National Assembly seat.

0857: Polling stations opened on time in Tsholotsho and Zanu PF Senatorial candidate Cde Cain Mathema was among the early voters. He was the first voter at Mhlabangulo Primary School where 10 people had queued to vote before the polling station opened. Mr Steven Luphahla the MDC-T Tsholotsho Senatorial candidate was the first to vote at Mvundlana Primary School. He cast his ballot at 7am.

0848 At Zimbiru Primary School in Goromonzi West, Presiding Officer Mr Simbo Newton said people started thronging the polling station around 4am. Women have been the majority of the voters so far.

 

Voters queue outside Mhofu Primary School polling station where President Mugabe will also cast his ballot this morning (2)
Voters queue outside Mhofu Primary School in Highfield polling station where President Mugabe will also cast his ballot this morning

0839: Voting is going on well in Muzarabani South.

0837: Buhera West was under MDC-T  with Advocate Eric Matinenga. Senior police officer Oliver Mandipaka (Zanu PF) is battling it out with Moses Mutyasira (MDC) and Jason Matewu (MDC-T).

0831: Voting is going on smoothly in Buhera West constituency. Most polling stations in the constituency were already manned by 6am with the presiding officers conducting the sealing of ballots. The process was done in the presence of different party election officers. At Murambinda Business Centre rank polling station, voting started at 7:10am with more than 50 people having gathered at the station.

0811: Voting started on a low note at Murombedzi Vocational Training Centre and Murombedzi Primary School in Zvimba West constituency.
There were few people coming when the polling station opened at 7am. At Murombedzi Primary School there are three separate voting booths. There are hardly any queues.

0752: Queues of people  who want to vote continue to swell at Chirapa Business Centre in Uzumba.

 Their vote in Domboshava.
Voters queue before they cast their vote in Domboshava.

0749: The polling station at Lupane Centre opened on time but voters had not arrived with polling officers had to wait for them to start trickle in.

07:46 Voting started on time at most constituencies visited in Masvingo Urban.

Polling officers sealing ballot boxes before voting starts in Domboshava
Polling officers sealing ballot boxes before voting starts in Domboshava

0745: Voting started at 7am at Dotito Primary School in Mt Darwin West. Long queues were witnessed with some people having been at the polling station as early as 5am. The environment is peaceful. Vice President Mujuru of Zanu PF, Oliver Kapepa of MDC-T and the MDC’s Benjamin Benhura are vying for Mt Darwin West constituency.

People casting their votes
People casting their votes

0732: Voting at Matau Primary School in Hurungwe West resumed at exactly 7am with more than 50 gathered already gathered at 5am.

People casting their votes in Domboshava. (2)
People casting their votes in Domboshava

0730: Ballot box inspection is underway at Domboshava Training Centre. By 7am people had not started voting. People started arriving at 6am.

0723: Polling started on time at Ndingi Primary School, ward 21, Makoni Central. This where Simba Makoni is scheduled to vote.

0715: Voting has started peacefully at Chitimbe Primary School in Uzumba.

Old women queue to vote in Domboshava.
Old women queue to vote in Domboshava.

0712: A handful of people were at the Chief Gutu tribal court polling station at Mpandawana Gutu Growth Point as early as 6am.

Before the polling station opened to voters, queues had already started meandering at polling stations in ward 6, Mbare, Harare

0709: Early birds in Waterfalls.

Waterfalls 21

People queue early morning to cast their vote in Waterfalls

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