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Wallace Ruzvidzo Herald Reporter
All political campaigning should end at midnight next Monday, and any political party or candidate found in contravention of the requirement will face the full wrath of the law, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) vice chairman Ambassador Rodney Kiwa, said yesterday.
In an interview, Ambassador Kiwa said the Electoral Act was clear that there should not be any campaigning 24 hours before polling day.
He said ZEC would take decisive action against those found on the wrong side of the law.
“Any campaigning by any political party, candidates, or individuals should end on 21 August at midnight. August 22 should be a quiet day and no political campaigning is allowed. If any party campaigns they will be liable to the law, its in terms of the Electoral Act and they will be criminalised. Those who campaign will be bound to prosecution, as ZEC will see to that.
“Midnight on August 21 is the deadline,” he said.
ZEC also released a list of activities that are not permitted within a 300-metre radius of a polling station on election day. These include wearing party regalia, sloganeering, using political or candidate-branded vehicles and distributing leaflets or pamphlets on behalf of a candidate or political party are prohibited.
Other prohibited activities include public singing, dancing and the use of bands, music, or loudspeakers as well as the use of cameras or phones.
The election has attracted interest at home and abroad, with 3 572 local observers, 136 foreign observers, 376 local journalists and 15 foreign journalists, accredited to cover the elections as of August 14.
Online Reporter