Voting day declared a public holiday

Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mugabe has declared next Wednesday a public holiday to enable people to vote in the harmonised elections.
The declaration was published in the Government Gazette on Wednesday in terms of Section 2 (2) of the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act (Chapter 10:21).
“His Excellency the President in terms of section 2 (2) of the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Act [Chapter 10:21] hereby makes the following notice:

“This notice may be cited as the Public Holidays and Prohibition of Business Notice, 2013,
“It is is hereby declared that Wednesday the 31st of July, 2013 shall be a public holiday,” read the Gazette.

The declaration comes as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announced on Wednesday that it is now ready to hold the harmonised elections with the printing of ballots having been completed, while other logistical arrangements are shaping up to ensure the smooth flow of polling.

Zec chairperson Justice Rita Makarau said sufficient mechanisms had been put in place to ensure a credible election.
She said in the “rare event” that most registered voters fail, for a justifiable cause, to cast their ballots on 31 July, the commission would approach the court seeking an extension.

Justice Makarau said the commission was confident of delivering a credible election despite attacks and accusations it has been subjected to by some stakeholders.

At least 20 000 local and foreign observers have so far been accredited for the elections.
The foreign observer groups, which are already in the country, include the African Union, the Southern African Development Community, the Common Market for East and Southern Africa, Sadc Parliamentary Forum and non-governmental organisations such as Sadc Electoral Support Network and Sadc Electoral Advisory Council.

Local embassies have also been allowed to select a maximum of five observers to participate in the elections.
A host of local NGOs and church organisations from across the country’s 10 provinces have also been given the green light to observe the process.
A total of 294 local journalists and 28 foreign journalists have also been accredited for the process.

President Mugabe will contest against Mr Morgan Tsvangirai of MDC-T, Mr Dumiso Dabengwa of Zapu, Professor Welshman Ncube of MDC and Mr Kisinoti Mukwazhe of the Zimbabwe Development Party for the presidency.

Various political parties have also fielded candidates for the parliamentary and council seats.