Zimbabwe voting continues amid ballot-rigging fears

(BBC) Voting in Zimbabwe’s presidential and parliamentary elections is continuing in some parts of the country, after delays prompted a second day of voting amid complaints of ballot rigging.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa gave notice that polling would be extended in 40 wards, in three of the 10 provinces. It includes parts of the capital, Harare – which is considered an opposition stronghold.

Only a quarter of polling stations there opened on time because of problems with ballot papers. In some areas, ballot papers ran out, forcing voters to wait late into the night.

The elections body blamed last-minute court challenges for the late arrival of council election ballot papers

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) opposition leader Nelson Chamisa accused the governing Zanu-PF of voter suppression.

Meanwhile the police are reported to have raided the offices of two local independent election monitors – the Zimbabwe Election Support Network and the Election Support Centre – a day after polling.

A rights group, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, reported that a large number of people were detained and computers seized.

There is no confirmation yet from the police.

The electoral body has five days within which to declare the results of the presidential election.

The post Zimbabwe voting continues amid ballot-rigging fears appeared first on .