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Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
Over 111 000 people have registered to vote in the five constituencies in Chipinge district ahead of harmonised elections scheduled for July 30. Speaking during a stakeholders meeting held at Chipinge Junior School on last Saturday, district elections officer Mr James Saguru said he was impressed by the turn out of people who had registered to vote so far against a projection of 120 000.
In all five constituencies, Chipinge Central has the largest number of registered voters of 28 731 followed by Chipinge South with 24 415 people.
Chipinge East has 21 218 registered voters while Chipinge West has 18 626.
Musikavanhu Constituency has the least number of registered voters in the district, 18 286.
“Of the 111 276 people who have registered to vote 67 672 voters are female while 43 604 are male.
“There are also 204 polling stations in the district. We are happy with the number of people who registered to vote despite the fact that the number fails to meet our anticipation of 120 000 people,” said Mr Saguru.
Mr Saguru said Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was committed to holding free and fair elections and will roll out more stakeholders’ programmes after the nomination court.
“As ZEC we are committed to holding a free and fair election in a transparent manner. The purpose of this first stakeholders meeting in the district is to sensitise all aspiring candidates to meet the nomination requirements which is scheduled on June 14. We are urging all aspiring candidates to meet the requirements and avoid making mistakes and confusion on nomination day,” he added.
Mr Saguru said the commission was still updating the voters’ roll which would be made public after the nomination court.
Speaking during the same meeting, Zimbabwe Republic Police officer commanding Chipinge/Chimanimani district Chief Superintendent John Simon urged political parties to maintain law and order during election campaign.
“As police we are urging political parties to register their rallies in order to avoid clashes.
“We are also warning the public not to carry weapons when attending political rallies as police will not hesitate to arrest anyone who found on the wrong side of the law regardless of political affiliation,” he said.
Online Reporter