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Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
Police have applauded the public for voting in a peaceful manner in the harmonised presidential elections held yesterday.
In an update on the security situation in the country, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said there was there is no need for voters to panic and cause chaos.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reports that since the opening of polling stations at 0700 hours across the country, the situation is calm and peaceful,” he said.
“The police is in liaison with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission as the election management body attends to some logistical challenges that were noted at some polling stations.”
The police on Tuesday said that they would deal harshly with unruly behaviour during and after the election process.
The country yesterday went to the polls to elect a new President and parliamentary and local government representatives.
In a statement on the eve of the elections, Commissioner-General of Police Godwin Matanga warned political parties and civic organisations against inciting the public.
Social media has been awash with calls by some political parties and civic organisations for people to gather at polling stations after casting their votes in what they were calling “defend your vote through REP (register, elect and protect)”
“The public should not that the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13 is not the only piece of legislation that regulates public gatherings,” Comm-Gen Matanga said.
“We have also the Maintenance of Order and Peace Act 11:23 which clearly stipulates that among other public gatherings, all politically-inclined gatherings must be duly notified and subsequently sanctioned by the relevant regulating authority.”
Comm-Gen Matanga said any gatherings at polling stations, collation, constituency, provincial and national command centres will be unlawful.
He said police will deal with any such illegal gatherings outside polling stations by invoking necessary security measures to maintain peace and order without fear or favour.
Matanga also gave a stern warning to those who are planning to announce election results through statistics availed by some party polling agents, saying only the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was authorised to do so.
He encouraged voters to peacefully cast their votes and return home or engage in any socio-economic activities away from the vicinity of polling stations.
Online Reporter