Mutare (New Ziana) – Voting in the ZANU PF party primary elections in Manicaland province on Saturday opened late in some areas because of the absence of ballot papers, but polling ran smoothly once the logistical hiccup was sorted, and voting began.
The party is conducting primary elections countrywide at the weekend to select candidates to represent it in local government and parliamentary elections due later this year.
But the exercise in some areas was marred by the absence of ballot papers and polling officers at voting centres, which held up the polls.
In Manicaland province, voting in Makoni, Chimanimani and parts of Mutare districts only kicked off around mid-day because of delays in the dispatch of ballot papers and polling officers.
The delays were particularly acute in Makoni, the largest district in the province with five parliamentary constituencies.
Ballot papers were still being dispatched to the district’s five constituencies by midday.
But in Buhera district, voting started at the scheduled time at 7AM, with huge voter turnout reported.
In Mutare district, voting also took off smoothly in all constituencies, with heavy voter turnouts in Dangamvura, Sakubva and Hobhouse.
Popular businessman-cum-politician, and aspiring Mutare Central Member of Parliament, Esau Fungai Mupfumi said he was certain of victory after having changed the choice of area of representation from Dangamvura-Chikanga
constituency.
He urged voters to maintain peace.
“A primary election is an in-house electoral process. We do not encourage violence because there is no need to incite such. The thrust
of the matter is to determine who can run faster than the other,” said Mupfumi.
The party is choosing candidates for a total of 210 national assembly and 60 senatorial seats, and 1 970 wards across the country.
New Ziana
