The ManicaPost
08:47 VOTING has started well, with a peaceful atmosphere prevailing across all constituencies in Buhera District. The Manica Post witnessed a huge turnout at most polling stations in the district. Just like at Murambinda B Primary School, one of the polling stations for Buhera North Constituency, voting at most poling stations in Buhera District started around 7:15am.
The presiding officer at the polling station, Cde Nelson Mahamba, said voting started with strict checking of all required documents. Meanwhile, voters in queues waiting to cast their ballot expressed satisfaction over the process, hoping the procedure will end peacefully. Buhera as a district has four parliamentary constituencies that include Buhera North, West, Central and South
09:23 Casting of ballots has commenced at most polling stations in Dangamvura, Chikanga and Mutare Central Constituencies. People waited patiently to cast their ballots from as early as 7am after some polling stations were yet to receive the ballots and other itinerary by 10am. Ballots are yet to arrive at some polling stations in Dangamvura and Mutare Central Constituencies. Voting is going on peacefully at some polling stations and voters are happy with the smooth flow of the process. People queue to vote at Mutanda Primary School Ward 3 Polling Centre in Sakubva, Mutare Central Constituency
10:01 At the Makoni District command centre, ballot papers are still being dispatched to the five constituencies in the district. Makoni Central aspiring candidates Cde Basil Nyabadza (left) and Cde Gilbert Muponda share a lighter moment at the district command centre
10:58 Voting has started at Masere Business Centre in Ward 17 in Mutasa Central where Cdes Innocent Benza and Wellington Sakupwanya are battling it out to represent the constituency
11:17 At Gaza Primary School in Chipinge Central, voting started smoothly after some earlier delays, with party members casting their ballot peacefully. Due to the large turnout of voters, some are patiently waiting in queues while others have gone back home with the plan to return after the pressure has subsided
12:01 Ballot papers and polling officers for the ruling party’s primary elections in Chimanimani West constituency arrived at 11:30am and voting commenced at midday in most wards.
In an interview, Ward 4 Guhune chairperson, Cde Eugenia Rusere said there was a delay in the disbursement of voting materials at the district’s command centre and voting was, however, going on smoothly despite complaints from voters that the ballot paper was complicated.
“There is a massive turnout of voters at the polling station, with some voters demanding that the pictures of candidates be put on the ballot papers. However, the presiding officer explained to them how to use the ballot paper and all has been resolved,” she said.
Battling it out for the National Assembly seat in Chimanimani West are the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Nokhutula Matsikenyere as well as Cdes Kelvin Macherenje, Lawrence Poperwi and Wilson Maphosa.
In Chimanimani East Constituency, the current legislator Cde Joshua Sacco was uncontested.
For the Women’s Quota, Chimamimani contestants are Cdes Patricia Kundlande and Esther Chikuni, while Cde Thembinkosi Chiororo is up for a senatorial position.
Cde Law Tiengane of Chimanimani is also vying for the Youth Quota position
12:47 Voters wait for their turn to cast their ballots at Chirowakamwe Primary School in Ward 15B, Dangamvura Constituency. Order is prevailing at the polling station
13:33 There has been an overwhelming turnout of voters at Nyajezi High School in Nyanga South where Cde Supa Mandiwanzira is contesting against Cde Paul Kadzima
14:40 Voting is progressing well at Sabi Valley Primary School in Ward 5 of Mutema-Musikavanhu Constituency in Chipinge. Scores of voters have turned up in their numbers for the polls.
Cdes Angeline Gata, Adam Chinwamurombe and Simon Simango are battling it out for the ticket to represent the ruling party in Mutema-Musikavanhu Constituency. On the other hand, Cdes Phibeon Machuwaire, Dzipange Bwerudza and Tinozivei Mukachana Mangezi are contesting for the councillor ticket
15:51 There has been an overwhelming turnout of voters at Nedziwa Growth Point’s Muonde Polling Station in Chimanimani West Constituency. Scores of people are patiently waiting for their turn to cast their ballots.
Cdes Nokuthula Matsikenyere, Lawrence Poperwi and Wilson Maphosa are battling for the constituency’s party ticket
16:23 Although voting has commenced in some wards in Mutasa South, voters in Ward 11 were yet to cast their ballots by late afternoon following logistical challenges. Some of the people have stayed put in anticipation of casting their votes
17:01 Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, who is also Chimanimani West Constituency parliamentary hopeful, Cde Nokuthula Matsikenyere, says the voting process proceeded peacefully and smoothly after earlier glitches in the distribution of ballot papers
17:54 Queues can still be seen at polling stations in some constituencies as voters are eager to cast their ballots
18:37 Voting has ended in Ward 6, Makoni Central, with vote verification and counting going on.
Our correspondent Luthando Mapepa reports that counting of votes has also started in Ward Five, Chipinge Urban. The presiding officer Ebenezer tent, Cde Lynnete Dhliwayo, said the voting process went on well without incident She said they are expecting to finish counting the ballots soon
