Diagram 34: Election Day critical incidents as recorded by CCJPZ Diagram 34 above shows that, ―lack of adequate lighting during voting and countingǁ as the most recorded ―criticalǁ incident across all provinces of Zimbabwe. They contributed 29% of the total recorded incidences. CCJPZ observed that some Polling Booths had very poor lighting, especially in tent polling stations. The polling officers resorted to the use of candles, mobile phone torches, gas lamps in lieu or natural light that peeped through polling station windows or openings. These resulted to delays in voting and increased waiting period as voters struggled to read the ballots to identify their preferred candidates before marking the ballots. Despite lack of adequate lighting during voting and counting and other critical incidences noted above, there were other isolated critical incidents that were recorded by CCJPZ observers as summarized below: Case 15 Devison Chidhakwa and Love Magaya from Gokwe moved in surrounding ―MDC villagesǁ in Gokwe telling people like Mukosana, Pedzisayi, N. Siyanhungu that if they wanted to receive agriculture inputs after elections, they had to pretend illiteracy at polling stations and ask for assisted voting from ZANU PF members. Village Head Dega Mukosana and John Mavhunga also tried to ambush voters on their way to polling stations to give them instructions to vote. However, they were later spotted by the ZRP and chased away. These incidences were common in Gokwe (Midlands Province), especially at Kana Secondary School polling station. Case 16 The political party agents for ZANU PF stood outside Sengwa Polling Station in Gokwe, (Midlands Province) making audible discussions with some queuing voters instructing them to vote for his political party. They told some waiting voters that if they waited to be assisted to vote, there were political party cadres in the polling station ready to assist. The incidents ware later reported to the ZRP and other election officials. Case 17 In Matebeleland North, Nkayi North at Somthanyelo polling station, at least six youths who had completed O' Level were assisted to vote by the elderly. Recognizing the trend, the Presiding officer 41

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