Fake Observers, Polling Agents Arrested in Zimbabwe

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, March 13, 2002

Fake Observers, Polling Agents Arrested in Zimbabwe

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About 10 alleged fake local observers and polling agents have been arrested at different polling stations in Zimbabwe's eastern province of Manicaland during the weekend, according to a police official.

Inspector Francis Mubvuta confirmed on Monday all the culprits were the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists who pretended to be polling agents or observers in some areas.

''Two fake observers were arrested at John Cowie polling station in Rusape on Saturday and we have received a lot of reports of fake observers who have been arrested at other polling stations,'' he said.

In some constituencies, several young men were arrested for pretending to be observers.

A group of youths led by MDC activist Elface Machongwe was canvassing for votes while wearing T-shirts with their party's symbols at a polling station.

The group proceeded to Chikwirire polling station where they offered soap to voters to wash off ink from their hands so that they could vote twice.

Zimbabweans went to the polls from Saturday to Monday to elect a new president, and MDC presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai is a major rival against incumbent President Robert Mugabe, who is hopeful of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union -- Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF).

Under Zimbabwe's first-past-the-post system, which was inherited from its former colonial power of Britain, the winner needs only one more vote than his closest rival.

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