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Zim polls free and fair says electoral body

ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau and deputy Joyce Kazembe leave central command center after briefing the press
ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau and deputy Joyce Kazembe leave central command center after briefing the press

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Wednesday described the harmonised elections widely hoped to end the incumbent Robert Mugabe’s rule, as free and fair in-spite of several reported irregularities.

At a late press conference in Harare where the commission also officially announced a five hour extension for polling from 7pm to midnight, chairperson Justice Rita Mukarau said results will vindicate the commission’s opinion.

“The election has been free and fair and I am hopeful that results will vindicate this,” she said.

The commission said irregularities reported so far, would not alter the perception of the electoral process that has seen opposition alleging rigging in favour of President Mugabe’s ZANU-PF.

Results are expected to start trickling in today, August 1 and the ZEC has scheduled another press briefing at 11am.

The head of African Union observers former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has also described the process so far, free and fair while Sadc observers are expected to announce their opinion of the elections just before the ZEC’s Thursday morning briefing.

 

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