President Mugabe, Vice President Mujuru, national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo and political commissar Cde Webster Shamu check on the new electronic party membership card from officials at the Zanu-PF headquarters in Harare on March 13, 2013., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.
‘Yes’ vote heads for landslide
Monday, 18 March 2013 00:27
Herald Reporters
AS the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission collates results of the watershed referendum held at the weekend, information filtering through indicates that most Zanu-PF strongholds in rural areas recorded a high turnout with the villagers overwhelmingly voting “Yes”.
Analysts say if these results become a mirror image of the forthcoming harmonised elections, then Zanu-PF is poised for landslide victory.
MDC-T-controlled urban areas also voted in favour of the draft Constitution, but the turnout was disappointingly low in some areas.
The National Constitutional Assembly, a former ally of the MDC, was campaigning for a “No” vote which has been rejected by the people.
ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makaru remained tight-lipped, insisting the results for the referendum will be made public within five days.
However, results obtained by The Herald in Gutu Central showed that 12 771 people cast their ballots with 11 898 voting “Yes”, while 675 voted against the draft.
About 200 ballots were rejected in a constituency with 10 wards.
In Gutu South, 11 343 people cast their ballot and 10 604 voted “Yes” while 604 rejected the draft.
A general glance at the results showed that the “Yes” vote was leading by a wide margin mainly in rural areas.
At Waverly Primary School polling station in Kadoma 1 441 voted for the adoption of the draft Constitution while 134 voted against it.
In Zvimba District, communication problems in Zvimba South delayed the collation of the total results for the district and by 1pm yesterday frantic efforts were being made to complete the process.
In Norton, 17 322 people voted “Yes”, while 1 157 rejected the adoption of the draft.
A total of 216 people were turned away for various reasons with some not possessing valid identity documents while others had not attained the legal voting age.
In Gokwe, poor communication delayed the collation of results, but 11 of the 21 polling stations visited showed that the “Yes” vote was leading.
Zvishavane-Ngezi Constituency recorded a high turnout and 18 422 people voted.
Among these people 16 810 voted “Yes” while 1 313 voted “No” and 299 were spoilt ballots.
Zvishavane District returning officer Mr Rigressa Dube said they were on top of the situation.
“The process is going on smoothly despite the fact that we are still to conclude collation of results for the whole district because Zvishavane-Runde is still to send their papers,” said Mr Dube in the afternoon.
In Mberengwa North, 17 294 people voted where 16 279 cast a “Yes” vote while 691 rejected the draft.
By 6pm yesterday, results of the referendum from the districts had not yet reached the Mashonaland Central command centre in Bindura.
Provincial elections officer Ms Thenjiwe Mkhandla confirmed the delay in receiving results from the districts.
Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Patrick Zhuwao, who observed the voting processes in the province, commended the logistical preparedness.
Acting provincial police officer in charge assistant commissioner Trust Nhapata said voting was peaceful.
“The voting was smooth and peaceful. We did not record any cases of violence,” he said.
At Kuwadzana East Constituency Command Centre, results from 23 polling stations within the suburb had been counted and the polling officers were busy packing left-over voting material.
Deputy returning officer for the constituency Ms Charlotte Musadaidzwa said 13 086 people voted in the constituency.
At Kuwadzana Constituency Command Centre, 15 428 people voted in favour of the new Constitution, while 1 366 voted against it.
There were 178 spoilt papers.
In Warren Park, 15 265 people voted “Yes” while 1 411 voted No.
Speaking at a post-election meeting at Greystone Park Primary School, deputy constituency elections officer, Engineer Tafadzwa Mudondo, said the voting process went on well with 17 000 people voting in favour of the Constitution, while 1 315 voted against.
There were 326 spoilt ballots.
In Beitbridge, 12 700 voted “Yes” while 1 174 rejected the draft constitution.
In the rest of the Matabeleland provinces, the trend was the same.
In Hwange Central constituency, 14 277 votes were cast and 13 103 voted “Yes” while 934 voted “No”.
In Umguza constituency, 21 187 people participated in the referendum with 19 683 voting in favour of the draft, while 1 121 voted against it. There were 383 spoiled ballots.
According to statistics released by Umzingwane returning officer, Mr Jephias Mtunzi a total of 14 838 people cast their ballots while 262 were turned away for various reasons. Of the number 13 876 people voted “Yes” the draft constitution while 962 rejected it. The district had 20 polling stations.
A total of 21 552 people cast their votes in Insiza District. According to the results collected from the district command centre 19 915 people voted in favour of the new draft constitution, while 1 278 people voted against it. The total number of spoilt ballot papers was 359.
In Mangwe, 11 739 people cast their votes with 10 517 voting in favour of the new draft, while 1 222 were against it.
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