Desist from divisive, inciteful language

THE Zimbabwe Republic Police has appealed to political parties to maintain the prevailing peace during and after the voting tomorrow.

In a statement ahead of the elections tomorrow, national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, said police have noted with concern allegations being peddled by some political parties to international observers claiming that police have the sole mandate to assist illiterate and physically challenged individuals saying this was misleading.

“ZRP clarifies the exact position with regards to the deployment of police officers at polling stations and voting processes by illiterate and handicapped voters. Police officers are deployed at polling stations to ensure that law and order is maintained in line with the provisions of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and the Electoral Act, Chapter 2:13,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said the Electoral Act has provisions that allow for illiterate and physically handicapped voters to request the assistance of the presiding officer at the station for assistance.

“According to the Electoral Act, Chapter 2:13, Section 59 (1) (b) in a station where an illiterate or physically handicapped voter does not have a person of his or her choice (confidante) to assist him to vote, the Electoral Act provides that the presiding officer must assist in the presence of two electoral officers or Zimbabwe Electoral Commission employees and a police officer on duty,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said the specific assistance given to a voter is not done by a police officer. Asst Comm Nyathi said police had set up a special investigations unit for the polls to deal with election-related crime, including violence, before, during and after the electoral process.

He said police will not hesitate to deal with any violence, regardless of where it arises or which supporters start it.

Asst Comm Nyathi said all police officers have been trained to maintain public order.

He said the special unit will be operating across the country and reporting directly to Police General Headquarters.

“Our officers have been fully trained for the forthcoming elections. We also have a ZRP elections committee to co-ordinate the deployment of police officers at all polling stations to make sure that peace is maintained at these polling stations,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“I also want to assure the country that we have got enough police officers to deploy at polling stations.”

“So far, as the Zimbabwe Republic Police, we have arrested people from across the board, from all political parties. We want to urge political parties to rein in their supporters.

“The supporters should promote peace wherever they are. An election is not a war. It is a contest, which will come to an end, but life will continue, so Zimbabweans must know that.

“So far, the environment in the country is very peaceful and we want to thank Zimbabweans for maintaining peace. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is ready for the upcoming elections and we appeal to the public to report any form of violence,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

He said perpetrators of violence will be arrested and prosecuted irrespective of political affiliation.

“We have made it clear that we will arrest anyone who engages in any form of violence irrespective of one’s political stature and that is a fact and we will be guided by that,” he said.