ZIMBABWEANS woke up yesterday to chaos at polling stations as there were no ballot papers in some constituencies as the harmonised elections began on a slow start.
The chaos came as a surprise, especially after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) had claimed that the country that ballot papers were delivered to polling centres on the eve of the August 23 plebiscite and the organisation was ready to conduct a flawless voting process.
While voters in rural areas started casting their votes when polling stations opened at 7am, the situation was different in several urban constituencies which had no ballot papers.
This meant that thousands had to queue in searing heat waiting to exercise their constitutional right. Some who could not stand it, left the polling stations, thereby failing to exercise their constitutional right which they enjoy once every five years.
Others, who were patient brought food and blankets to the polling stations.
Zec should take the flak for this mess after assuring the voters that it had ticked all the boxes.
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We reported yesterday that ballot papers for Bikita West constituency fell off a Zec truck along the Harare-Masvingo Highway on Tuesday.
This feeds into the question over the credibility of the polls.
Instead of Zec admitting its shortcomings yesterday, the electoral management body put up a brave face saying the late start to voting in some constituencies was caused by delays in printing of the ballot papers arising from numerous court challenges which affected Harare and Bulawayo provinces.
It never commented on the ballot papers that fell off a truck.
Yesterday’s polls were being keenly watched by Zimbabweans and the international community.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa pledged to deliver free, fair and credible polls as one of the housekeeping issues under the country’s arrears clearance and debt resolution process midwifed by African Development Bank president Akinwumi Adesina and former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano.
Chissano attended Zanu PF and Citizens Coalition for Change rallies on Sunday and Monday, respectively.
Yesterday’s chaos comes in the wake of criticism the election management body was working hand-in-glove with Zanu PF to tilt the playing field in favour of the ruling party.
Zec was quick to respond to fliers claiming that a Zanu PF candidate had pulled out of the race but it did not do the same when cities were flooded with fliers alleging that CCC was pulling out of the race.
There is still light at the end of the tunnel after Zec ordered polling stations that opened late to run for 12 continuos hours.
The electoral management body can redeem itself by announcing results promptly.
After it appealed to Zimbabweans to “exercise tolerance and respect for each other “so that we can collectively deliver a free, fair and credible election”, eligible voters did their part yesterday.
The ball is now in Zec’s court.
