In theory, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe could lose his job as a result of elections held today, but we all know how much he loves democracy. Five years ago, he actually let himself lose the first round of presidential voting to rival Morgan Tsvangirai, but then adopted a rather aggressive method of campaigning that involved torturing and killing his opponents. Needless to say, he won the second round after Tsvangirai pulled out due to the violence.
This time, it looks like Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party are being a more diligent about doing the little things to ensure a victory. You know, like making sure Tsvangirai and his MDC-T party don’t have access to voter rolls until the last minute.
National consolidated voter's roll only delivered few hours before voting closed. #SADC eom take note. #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/VIGQEKdzY0
— Tiseke Kasambala (@tiseke) July 31, 2013
Late, late release of consolidated voter's roll breach of Electoral Act. #Zimbabwe
— Tiseke Kasambala (@tiseke) July 31, 2013
Voters roll has 200,000 people over the age of 103. ZEC is an "arrogant group of people" – MDC-T Secretary General Tendai Biti…
— African Elections (@Africanelection) July 31, 2013
Still, Zimbabweans turned out by the thousands in hope that their votes would count.
Heavy voter turnout and long lines reported all over Zimbabwe for presidential election (Photo: @AFP) pic.twitter.com/vw1RJNxfuV
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) July 31, 2013
Tsvangirai’s supporters are alleging widespread irregularities, even releasing a video of one of their politicians confronting a busload of supposedly illegal voters being brought to vote at the wrong polling station by the ZANU-PF.
polling station results are trickling in and so are the shenanigans and machinations of Zanu PF.Below is a link… http://t.co/Z7fuiEAdus
— MDC Alliance (@mdczimbabwe) July 31, 2013
#Zimbabwe MDC alleges multiple "vote rigging shenanigans by ZANU PF" including discovery of extra polling station not on official list.
— andrew harding (@AndrewWJHarding) July 31, 2013
There are plenty of other reports of irregularities coming in as well.
ZEC concerned at high 'assisted' voting levels in ZANU-PF strongholds. http://t.co/JJ6N7oQCmM
— Peter Godwin (@petergodwin) July 31, 2013
Zanu-PF activist Rickie Chijoki arrested in Hatfield after he was found in possession of 6 registration slips. http://t.co/VWnmcVfuvk
— The Herald Zimbabwe (@HeraldZimbabwe) July 31, 2013
#zimelections police "at zaoga church in dzvivarasekwa 10 soldiers tried to jump line. police fired 1 warning shot. Soldiers arrested"
— harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) July 31, 2013
Of course, the African Union seems to think things are just peachy.
Initial reports: Zimbabwe's elections were 'free and fair,' according to African Union election observer http://t.co/IgAWAmHPKP
— GP Investigations (@GlobalPost) July 31, 2013
We totally trust that analysis, right?
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