Chronicle Editor
Laurel Murangaridzirayi,[email protected]
POLICE have deployed enough officers across the country to ensure a safe and peaceful election tomorrow.
In a statement, the police commissioner general Tandabantu Godwin Matanga said the security body has deployed its officers around the country for a safe and peaceful election period and the preceding period.
“My office has deployed appropriate levels of police officers at all polling stations, collation, constituency, provincial and National Command Centres to ensure that effective law and order is maintained during the voting process and thereafter,” he said.
Comm Gen Matanga, however, said he was disappointed with the mood that other political leaders are setting concerning the result of the election.
“However, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned with political utterances by some political leaders that they will not accept election results which are not in their favour and at the same time calling upon voters to gather at polling stations after casting their votes in what they call defend your vote through REP (Register, Elect and Protect),” said Comm Gen Matanga.
“As if that is not enough, we have noted that some purported civic organisations such as Team Pachedu and others are sending messages on social media platforms mobilising the public to gather within the 301 metre-radius at polling stations while waiting for the election results,” he said.
Comm Gen Matanga urged Zimbabweans and visitors to stay within the lines of the law, saying the police will conduct their duty if the security integrity of the country is violated.
“May I therefore remind Zimbabweans and visitors that the country’s law enforcement agents are mandated to protect the internal security of the country without any form of hesitation or compromise,” he said.
Comm Gen Matanga urged citizens to abide by the provisions of the electoral act and other pieces of legislation.
“Above all, the public should take note that the Electoral Act, chapter 2:13 is not the only piece of legislation that regulates public gatherings. We have also the Maintenance of Order and Peace Act Chapter 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,” he said.
“In this regard, any gatherings at polling stations, collation, constituency, provincial and National Command Centres are unlawful. Any gatherings outside polling stations shall be dealt with in terms of the Maintenance of Order and Peace Act, Chapter 11:23. My office will indeed invoke the necessary security measures to maintain law and order without fear or favour in the country,” he said.
Police warned civic organisations against their intentions to illegally announce results.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police is also aware that some civic organizations claim that they have put measures in place to announce the results on 24th August 2023 through statistics availed by some party polling agents. In terms of the Electoral Act, Chapter 2:13, it is the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission only who has the legal mandate to announce the election results in the country. Therefore, any deviation from the legal provisions shall be dealt with according to the country’s laws,” he said.
The Commissioner general urged the masses to vote peacefully and go back to their residence, church or businesses because gatherings are not allowed by the law enforcer at polling stations.
“I also urge the voters to peacefully cast their votes and go back home, to church or any socio-economic activity one is set to conduct. No gatherings shall be allowed by the Police at polling stations.”
“The public should feel free to conduct various family, business and other social activities with no disruption as police officers are firm on the ground for their safety,” said Comm Gen Matanga.
Online Reporter