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THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) in liaison with the District Development Fund (DDF) is assessing the state of the country’s road network to ensure that all polling stations are accessible ahead of next week’s harmonised elections. In an interview from Harare on Wednesday, Zec chairperson Justice Rita Makarau said the commission has deployed its officers to all provinces to assess the roads.
“We have decided to deploy our commissioners and members of the national logistics committee to identify awkward polling stations and look into the road network province by province.
“They will also look at issues such as the availability of water at each polling station. The idea is to ensure easy deployment of polling officers and transportation of voting material,” said Justice Makarau.
“DDF has done the survey in all provinces and have given us a catalogue of all places that need attention. We are also looking at the possibility of airlifting material to inaccessible areas and we are talking to DDF and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) on that.”
Justice Makarau said a majority of polling stations countrywide were generally accessible although some roads needed attention.
She said deployment of polling officers will start from tomorrow onwards.
“Most polling stations in Matabeleland provinces are fairly accessible. There are 149 polling stations in Hwange District and all are accessible except six in Hwange Central at Chilanga Primary School, Nengashu, Bhalale and Kashuku villages that need attention.
“Roads to Nkandebwi and Msuna Primary Schools need some gravel patching on a hilly terrain,” she said.
“The 119 polling stations in Lupane and 112 in Nkayi are all accessible. Tsholotsho has 130 polling stations and all are accessible except Tubayi Dip Tank. There are 78 polling stations in Umguza and all are accessible except Ncwagazini.”
Justice Makarau said polling stations in Matabeleland South were also accessible except Nalola in Insiza South and Thokozani Primary in Insiza North.
She also said roads leading to Kashu Primary in Mangwe and those leading to Matolokisi, Ntabande and Mbizingwe in Umzingwane District, needed to be regraded.
Justice Makarau said there was a need to have a speed boat near Kariba in Mashonaland West.
She also said accessibility will be improved in a number of polling stations in Mashonaland Central especially in Mount Darwin by using 4×4 vehicles.
Zec has already started transporting voting material in preparation for next week’s elections.
Online Reporter