Live Updates: Police, Army Special Voting

On Sunday and Monday members of the uniformed forces are voting in Zimbabwe. The controversial exercise will be the subject of a court hearing on Monday with the MDC-T application saying the police numbers are inflated. The MDC-T is also alleging that superiors are intimidating junior officers to vote for Mugabe and his Zanu PF party.

The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) had asked the High Court on Friday to stop the special two-day vote, saying that the 69,000 police officers set to cast their ballots on Sunday and Monday far exceed the 44,133 shown on a Ministry of Finance salary schedule for the whole country.

“We are saying where is this excess number coming from because they are not on the government payroll? How does the police commissioner general account for the 69,000?” MDC lawyer Harrison Nkomo told the Reuters news agency.

Below are the live updates from across the country

*22:00 – MDC-T have just tweeted “Our polling agents are not going anywhere tonight. Whatever shenanigans are planned, we are more than ready!”

“Empty threats being directed at police officers in Ntabazinduna right now. Being told to vote ZANU PF or else. Also being told they can trace who we voted for. All these are lies, we are tired of this regime that does not respect us.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

“At Bond shopping center in Mt Pleasant the police didn’t vote, around 6, not even one had voted, they were told to come back tomorrow.” ‪#‎NehandaCtizenReports‬

“Was shocked today to see a gardener I know very well dressed in a police uniform among the ‘police’ @ Mt Pleasant Hall this afternoon. Food for thought.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

“At Gweru District Administrators office only 96 police officers voted today out of 1700 expected to vote because only 108 ballot papers came.” ‪#‎NehandaCitizenReports‬

*20:33 – Special vote results are not announced on their own. Ballots will be counted together with ordinary ballots (Lawyer Tawanda Zhuwarara)

*19:37 – In Umguza voting has failed to take place, the ballots papers came late at around 1500hrs. Prison officers from Khami prison and police officers also based in the constituency have gone back to their homes.

*19:14 – Shock! ZEC has only released 5000 of 82 000 ballots for the special vote and Special voting should end tomorrow by 7pm (Lawyer Tawanda Zhuwarara)

*19:00 – Just back from Mabvuku Community hall. As at 18.00 hours on Sunday evening, about 150 people had cast their ballots. ZEC has absolutely failed to conduct a credible and efficient poll thus far. (Deputy Justice Minister Obert Gutu)

*17:47 – In Chikomba West voting failed to take place for the police force because only 41 ballot papers where available yet all the police officers from had gathered at Liebenburg High School to cast their vote.

Police officers have since left to go to their homes though they had been asked to wait til seven as thé ballot papers are expected to come from Marondera. They are yet to come back again tomorrow. #NehandaCitizenReports

*16:51 – Special voting full of confusion. Police officers stranded in Harare as 10 names appearing on the voters roll at town house polling station and at Highfield High 1 only 14 names appearing

*14:05 – Voting started at 12.33hrs Bulawayo City Hall. Ballot papers came late. Queue not orderly only 5 officers voted as at 2pm via @Zimelections13

*14:00 – The police force is all over Chivhu Town as they wait to vote. The ballot papers are not yet here #NehandaCitizenReports

*14:00 – I’m here at Kuwadzana Hall, Harare, no voting has started its now 1400 hrs

*13:58 – Still no ballot papers at Chivi District Administrators office. #NehandaCitizenReports

*13:54 – BINDURA North, not yet in operation. MAGUNJE, no ballot papers. ZVIMBA North and South, no ballot papers as well.

*13:29 – Mai Musodzi Hall, Mbare Harare: 84 Officers voted so far. Queue moving at a snail pace

*3/4 of polling stations yet to receive voting material

*13:28 – Voting in Gwanda still has not started.

* 12:44pm – Confusion at Miekles Park polling station in Mutare, no progress on voting

*12:43 pm – Thousands of police and prison officers wating to cast their votes at Chiefs Hall, Ntabazinduna (Umguza). Some police officers telling Nehanda Radio they came as early as 4am but nothing is taking shape as there is no sign of a Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) official present.

*12:36 pm – Four polling stations for special voting here in Zaka District but no ballot papers yet. Voting yet to begin

*Angry police officers break windows at Mt Pleasant Hall…confirmed report

* “Total chaos with the special voting in Harare!! ZEC should wake up and smell the coffee. OMG..!!! (Deputy Justice Minister Obert Gutu)

*Norton Police Dispol threatening police officers right now to vote for ZANU PF

*No ballot papers by 9 am at Nyazura polling station.

*At 11:09am they were still no ballot papers at Mabvuku Hall (see picture album)

*At Harare Town House, the voting was delayed as it was said members of the police where being organised in alphabetical order.