Vote-buying claims mar Zimbabwe by-elections

Independent election observers say the just ended Zimbabwe by-elections were marred by intimidation and vote-buying.

Results from the polls suggest the new opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change CCC, led by Nelson Chamisa, is on course to win most of the 28 parliamentary and over 100 council seats being contested.

Three quarters of the by-elections were because of a split within the main opposition the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

While the opposition is celebrating its wins, results suggest that the ruling Zanu-PF party has made some inroads, including in urban areas.

It managed to snatch several parliamentary and council seats from the opposition.

But independent observer groups like the Zimbabwe Election Support Network said some candidates’ conduct amounted to vote buying, including giving out of foodstuffs to voters.

While the voting day was largely peaceful, it said that the above-average voter turn-out at some rural polling stations suggested community coercion.

The group noted high numbers of people needing assistance to vote in several polling stations.

The final results are expected to be announced on Monday.

BBC