Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum Report — Of Stuffed ballots and Empty Stomachs c. Voters Turned Away and Spoiled Ballots. Most accredited observers noted with concern the high numbers of voters who were turned away by polling officials. It appears that some 10 percent of voters were turned away nationally. The main reasons provided were as follows: • Registration documents were illegible or passports had expired; • Names did not appear on the voters’ roll as the constituency boundaries had changed and they now fell under different constituencies; • Zimbabwean citizenship was in question; • Names simply did not appear on the voters’ roll even though the persons concerned were duly registered voters. Inadequate voter education is obviously partly responsible for this situation. Furthermore, those who were in the wrong constituency should have been given information of where they should go to vote by a polling officer. They were not. The democratic process is undermined when so many people who wish to vote cannot do so. In a few constituencies, for instance, Makoni East and Mutasa South, both won by ZANU(PF), the differences between the number of votes cast for each party was less than the number of people turned away. In addition to the 10% of voters turned away about 2.3% of ballots were spoilt. Accordingly a significant number of people who presented themselves at polling stations were unable to exercise their democratic rights. Table B at the end of this report indicates the number of spoiled papers by province. C. COUNTING THE VOTE Polling stations officially closed at 7.00 pm.65 The Regulations merely provide in section 8(1) that the time to commence counting is determined by the Presiding Officer. However, this must be read with section 62 of the Act, which requires counting to commence as soon as the procedure for sealing the ballot boxes is complete. Immediately after the close of the poll, the Presiding Officer is required to close and seal the aperture in the ballot box, affix his or her seal thereto and permit any such candidates and election agents to affix their signatures or thumbprints upon the Presiding Officer’s seal or to affix their seals to the aperture of the ballot box.66 65 Section 53(1) specifies the hours of polling. This may be adjusted by the Constituency Elections officer, provided that the polling station is open for 12 hours. 66 Section 61 of the Electoral Act. 21