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Thubelihle Mabhena Chronicle Reporter
POLICE have warned would-be perpetrators of violence during the June 10 by-elections to behave or risk facing the wrath of the law. Bulawayo Metropolitan province acting police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube yesterday said the police would be out in full force to maintain peace and would unsparingly deal with anyone found on the wrong side of the law.

The province will hold National House of Assembly by-elections in June for five constituencies that fell vacant after the MDC-T recalled its legislators who defected to the splinter group, MDC Renewal.

The constituencies are Pelandaba, Mpopoma, Pumula, Lobengula, Luveve and Makokoba.

Asst Insp Ncube said the electorate should show political maturity and tolerance of each other during the June 10 by-elections.

“The police will not condone any form of lawlessness before, during and after the by-elections. Contesting political parties and general members of the public are therefore strongly warned against any form of violence or conduct that’s in breach of the law.

“The voting process is conducted by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. However, in terms of the constitution and the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13, the police are mandated to provide an atmosphere that ensures the elections are conducted peacefully, efficiently, fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law,” he said.

Asst Insp Ncube said the police were empowered to arrest people who impersonate, obstruct the electoral process or prevent others from voting.

“On orders from relevant presiding officers, we’re also empowered to arrest and detain electoral officers for misconduct which include drunkenness, rowdy behaviour, failure to perform their duties professionally, failure to obey presiding officers’ orders and instructions as well as interfering with voters.

“Members of the public are reminded that it’s a criminal offence to organise or take part in any gathering of more than 12 persons, canvassing for votes or utter slogans. They’re also warned against distributing leaflets or pamphlets on behalf of any candidate or political party. They should not organise or engage in public singing, dancing or use of bands or music or speakers, vans and or apparatus within a radius of 300 metres of a polling station in the June 10 by-elections.”

The Bulawayo police spokesperson also urged election agents and candidates to ensure that they remove their campaign posters from within a 300 metre radius of any polling station prior to June 10.

Asst Insp Ncube, however, said it was encouraging to note that political parties and independent candidates have so far been conducting their campaigns peacefully.

“We encourage all parties, candidates and members of the public to continue maintaining the peaceful environment ahead of the June 10 by-election,” he said.