Observers slam Friday’s sham election

By Lance Guma
28 June 2008

The head of the Pan African Parliament observer mission to Zimbabwe says a lot of people defaced their ballots in Friday’s election and that many of them voted out of fear. Marwick Khumalo who heads the mission said voter turnout was very low in spite of the massive intimidation from state sponsored militants.

The MDC had earlier encouraged its supporters to spoil their ballot papers if they were forced to vote in the election. In many parts of the country red cloths (symbolizing the MDC party colour) were left hanging on posters and trees in a sign of defiance.

Roaming gangs of Zanu PF youths terrorized residents into going to the polls in most areas. Threats of ‘Operation Red Finger’ were used to coerce those that were unwilling to vote. Residents in the cities and rural areas have been told the red indelible ink used during voting would be used to mark out those who boycotted.