Rural District Council Elections Statistics

Report by ZimJournos Arise
This weekend Zim Journos, will be busy covering the rural district council elections. These elections although being largely ignored, are regarded by political analysts as very significant as they will measure whether or not MDC has made any inroads (at all) in the traditional rural ZANU-PF strongholds.
This week the media has reported on a growing number of incidences of violence especially in the politically volatile region of Manicaland.

There have been accusations and counter-accusations of rigging, cheating intimidation, with the likes of Chief Charumbira threatening opposition supporter of dire consequences if they do the ‘’unthinkable’’

It’s a serious test for Morgan Tsvangirai, whose party insists on going to the polls, predictably crying foul afterwards, when they lose.

However he and his team should be complimented on the MASSIVE effort he has put in campaigning. The highlight being pictures being circulated by Eddie Cross of him (Morgan) and a blind woman with her two children who had walked hundreds??? of kilometres to hear him speak at a rally. Although as journalists we strive to remain impartial we hope that that woman will get an opportunity to cast her vote, this weekend.

Unfortunately the team was unable to get the Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network’s report on the polls (in time) but the score line as of this evening(Friday)is

463 ZANU-PF out of the contested 1,344 are in ZANU-PF's back-pocket

The two MDC's have nine wards between them

Out of the 863 of the seats up for grabs, 18 of them have no candidates.

Please note that ZANU-PF's 463 seats are won unopposed.

So guys lets get on with our reporting, without fear or favour, and by the way avoid being arrested.

May the best party win and also lets not forget the Kadoma elections where incumbent ZANU-PF mayor Fani Phiri locks horns with MDC's Jonas Ndenda.
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