The MDC-T yesterday claimed that scores of soldiers and their spouses were being registered as voters at Tredgold Building in Bulawayo in what the party suspects is a ploy to boost potential supporters for Zanu PF ahead of crucial elections slated for this year. Report By MOSES MATENGA STAFF REPORTER
The MDC-T said the soldiers were being registered at Office 16 by the Registrar-General’s Office and the army.
“The voter registration exercise for the public was halted in Bulawayo last month amid speculation that the Registrar-General’s Office in Bulawayo only allows people aligned to Zanu PF party to register to vote,” the party said.
“Scores of people are being sent away from registration centres while police and army personnel are being allowed to register to vote.
“A visit to Tredgold Building revealed that ordinary people are not being allowed to register to vote.
“This trend is now widespread as scores of people were arrested in Lupane while trying to register to vote. About 40 people were arrested in Lupane a fortnight ago while trying to exercise their right to vote in the coming local and national elections.”
The MDC-T said there was a deliberate ploy to frustrate civilians from registering as voters to aid Zanu PF in the polls scheduled for July.
“As part of their efforts to make sure that neutral people are not involved, the Zanu PF machine has mobilised State operators to stop them from helping people to register as voters,” the party said, referring to the recent clampdown on civil society.
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MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said the party was appealing to the principals in the inclusive government to intervene.
He said in rural areas, particularly Manicaland, kraal heads were denying perceived MDC-T supporters reference letters to register as voters.
Zanu PF secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa defended the army’s involvement in the voter registration exercise. “If they say soldiers are Zanu PF and should not vote, we will also say all trade unionists are MDC and cannot vote,” he said.
“You can’t separate soldiers and Zanu PF the same way we can’t separate trade unions from MDC.”
A voter mobilisation exercise led by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has stalled due to lack of funds.
