Low voter turn-out in Glen View South by-election

Joseph Madzimure and Richard Muponde

There was low voter turnout in the Glen View South by-election held today, with about 14 percent of registered voters having cast their ballots by 4pm.

Voting began smoothly at all 43 polling stations across the constituency, with all stations opening on time at exactly 7am.

The constituency has a total of 31 519 registered voters.

In the early hours, voters trickled into polling stations, but the pace slowed down significantly as midday approached.

By 4pm, only 4 410 votes had been cast, comprising 1 840 male voters and 2 570 female voters, according to figures from the Constituency Command Centre.

Constituency Elections Officer Mr Killian Gambe confirmed the turnout figures and noted that the polling process had proceeded peacefully.

Zanu PF candidate Cde Tsitsi Tawomhera cast her vote at Glen View 3 Primary School around 9:30am.

She expressed confidence in winning the seat.

“I am confident of winning the seat for Zanu PF. We have done our work well,” she told journalists after voting.

Ward 31 Elections Officer Mr Pomerai Coffee confirmed that voting had gone on without incident.

“All polling stations opened on time at 7am. People are coming in to vote, and everything is proceeding peacefully,” he said.

The by-election was triggered by the death of sitting Glen View South legislator Grandmore Hakata.

Cde Tawomhera is facing competition from four other candidates: three independents — Tungamirai Madzokere, Toenderai Chakaredza and George Makwangwaidze — and National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) candidate Perpetua Mukanda.