How Zimbabweans votes and "not votes" have thus far been counted.

international | politics / elections | other press

Friday April 01, 2005 20:14

by linesman

"the kettle might call the pot black"

Zimbabwe yesterday celebrated an election which polarised democratic opinion in that state, and amongst Zimbabweans 25% of whom are outside the country and were denied a vote.

In addition observers from Non governmental organisations such as Amnesty had previously declared the vote would be "rigged".

As it stands, an election described by Mr Mugabe as the "fairest anyone anywhere could hope for", on average less than 47% have exercised their right to vote, in secret, regardless of ethnicity, gender, creed or socio economic class...

This young woman (24yrs) did not choose to exercise her first right to vote.

There has been comprehensive coverage of the lead-up to this election in this article and the comments highlighting many of the issues of concern to human rights organisations, acitivist organisations, media organisations and neighbouring South Africa at the nature of the Mugabe campaign which included the closure of sites, papers, expulsion of journalists, and the alledged use of "food aid" to starving rural areas as coercion -
http://www.indymedia.ie/newswire.php?story_id=68538&condense_comments=false&save_prefs=true#comments

The Mugabe regime have claimed victory:-
in their words :-

http://www.zimbabweherald.com/index.php?id=42116&pubdate=2005-04-01

Latest confirmed results
MDC 31 (+2 unofficial) seats (the opposition)
ZANU PF 27 (+5 unofficial) (the ruling party)

Constituency Tot Voters MDC votes ZANU PF votes Zanu Ndonga Indeps Spoilt Tot votes %turnout

MASH WEST (13 seats)

Chegutu
electorate 52592
8286 MDC
16542 ZANUPF
546 spoilt votes
25374 cast ballot
48% participation.

Chinhoyi
electorate 42368
5773 MDC
9462 ZANUPF
323 spoilt votes
15558 cast ballot
37% participation.

Hurungwe East
electorate 54463
6090 MDC
19670 ZANUPF
792 spoilt votes
26552 cast ballot
49% participation.

Hurungwe West
electorate 54947
7663 MDC
17295 ZANUPF
903 spoilt votes
25861 cast ballot
47% participation.

Kadoma
electorate 44988
10023 MDC
8740 ZANUPF
308 spoilt votes
19071 cast ballot
42% participation.

Manyame
electorate 41245
8312 MDC
15448 ZANUPF
543 spoilt votes
24303 cast ballot
59% participation.

Mhondoro
electorate 37744
4015 MDC
13966 ZANUPF
453 spoilt votes
18434 cast ballot
49% participation.

Ngezi
electorate 38229
2404 MDC
16801 ZANUPF
564 spoilt votes
19769 cast ballot
52% participation.

Zvimba North
electorate 46496
4834 MDC
16140 ZANUPF
673 spoilt votes
21647 cast ballot
47% participation.

Zvimba South
electorate 42719
2439 MDC
17797 ZANUPF
769 spoilt votes
21032 cast ballot
49% participation.

This is representative of the voting pattern throughout the country. The highest participation thus far recorded is 57%. The average has been less than 50%.

The opposition are now considering whether to take their complaints to the street. Doubtlessly they will find strongest support in urban areas where they did very well winning most of their seats and improving their share of the votes cast last time.

Those who want to have a say on this are invited to
the various fora to do so, yesterday protests by anti-Mugaba groups were held at the embassies of the republic of Zimbabwe globally with "mock polling booths" set up.

The BBC have set this one up-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/4394779.stm

If ZANU PF claim 66% of the seats, they may change as planned the constitution.