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| Africa Subsaharan |
| Zimbabweans spoil ballot papers Mugabe's threats |
| 2008-06-29 |
| President Robert Mugabe faces humiliation as hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans defied intimidation and refused to vote in his unopposed re-election. Despite threats from Mr Mugabe's thugs to beat those who refused to vote, many polling stations in the capital Harare had not seen a single ballot cast three hours after opening. Others remained virtually empty and many of those who did vote simply spoiled their ballot papers. Mr Mugabe's militiamen warned they would launch "Operation Red Finger", targeting anyone whose left little finger is not stained with the ink used to indicate who has voted. But observers estimated that turnout was between a quarter and a third of the level seen in the first round on March 29. Throughout the day, state television insisted that a huge turnout was taking place, attributing the absence of queues to a hitherto unknown efficiency among election officials. However, ZBC's Freedom Moyo, its reporter in Bulawayo, defied the station's remit by telling the nation: "There are very few people. People have listened to Tsvangirai's call to boycott the election." He was not heard from again. In rural areas, where monitors are few, reports emerged of coerced voting, with some all-night indoctrination sessions taking place outside polling stations. On Harare's western outskirts, militia from Mr Mugabe's Zanu PF party rounded up hundreds of people and forced them to the polling stations. MDC sources said that while they hoped for a low turnout, they expected figures announced in rural areas to be higher than in the first round. One source said the priority was for people to do whatever was necessary "so they are around and alive when the time comes to have a real election". Mr Tsvangirai denounced the process as an "exercise in mass intimidation with people all over the country being forced to vote. There is nothing legitimate about this election process." He urged African leaders to refrain from recognising the outcome of the "sham" poll. "Anyone who recognises the result of this election is denying the will of the Zimbabwean people," said Mr Tsvangirai. He added there would be "no role" for President Thabo Mbeki in mediating a solution if South Africa recognises Mr Mugabe's expected victory. |
| Posted by:Pappy |