SW Radio Africa (London)
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.
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onesoulzim1... Is the real problem in Zimbabwe people like you that actually drink the Mugabe Kool-Aid? Good grief. Democratic rights? Ha ha ha ha ha
Yes you cant slam the democratic rights in Zimbabwe because there is no democratic right in Zimbabwe now!
Democratic hahahahahahaahahhahahahahahahahaha
Zimbabwe is now a dictatorship without electoral rights. Mugabe makes sure that any opponent pays a heavy price and any voter that votes for an opponent also pays a heavy price: beatings, torture, death. ZANU-PF - NAZIs. Mugabe = Hitler or Stalin. That is what will go down in the history books.
Onesoulzim, you wouldn't know democracy even if it hit you in the face. There is no such thing in Zimbabwe. I can tell my president straight on his face that I do not like his policies and he deeds to go. Would YOU dare?? Democracy - you don't know the meaning of it.
Those who defaced their ballots can only be in anger that their preferred candidate was losing or is not participating. Those with a strong candidate voted for him. You can’t slam democratic rights.