26 Electoral system and processes Councils Act, and this was largely perceived to be a vote-buying endeavour.121 Vetting of ZANU PF candidates ahead of its primaries was also said to have been conducted by the central intelligence organisation – again the costs of which are borne by the taxpayer.122 The MDC parties also accused ZANU PF of vote buying123 by handing out food packages during campaign rallies, such as the First Lady donating 22 tonnes of food stuff in Mashonaland Central.124 In a country where poverty and formal unemployment levels are high, issues relating to vote-buying are a serious concern. Not enough has been done, either by way of legislation, or by the intervention of ZEC and the law enforcement authorities to ensure that this practice is discouraged and punished wherever it occurs. 2.14 The Special Vote Amendments to the Electoral Act in 2012 introduced new voting procedures for some sectors of the Zimbabwean public. Special voting (or early voting) was introduced for the first time to benefit those from the disciplined forces and polling officers who will not be in their wards due to deployment on official duty on Election Day. “Disciplined forces” have been expanded to now include the Zimbabwe Prisons Service, and not just the Zimbabwe Republic Police and the Zimbabwe National Army.125 The electoral law further stipulates that once an application is made for a Special Vote, that individual will not be allowed to vote on the main polling day. This was the first time that disciplined forces were to vote outside their stations. Previously they used the postal voting system – criticised by many as not guaranteeing the secrecy of their ballots. Voting centres were identified and publicised. The actual Special Vote was open to observers.126 After proclamation of the election date and the sitting of the nomination court, ZEC set the dates for special voting as 14 and 15 July 2013.127 Special voting had to be completed 16 days before polling day according to the Electoral Act,128 and processing of the applications began on 1 July 2013.129 Before the process began, the ZEC Chairperson advised the nation that the process was foolproof.130 Information about the actual applications that had been received was eventually made public with at least 120 000 applications having been said to have been issued to different sectors of the disciplined forces and polling officers.131 After 121 M Chideme “Write off all debts, Govt orders councils” The Herald (23 July 2013) p 1. 122 E Mambo et al “Politburo meets over primaries” Zimbabwe Independent (3 May 2013) p 3. 123 J Nyashanu “MDCs accuse ZANU PF of vote buying” Newsday (19 July 2013) p 3. 124 As above. 125 Section 4 of the Electoral Act as amended on 12 June 2013. 126 Z Murwira “Special Vote foolproof: Makarau” The Herald (11 July 2013) p 1. 127 F Share “Special voting dates announced” The Herald (3 July 2013) p 1. 128 Section 81A of the Electoral Act. 129 As above. 130 As above. 131 F Nleya“70 000 police officers apply for special vote” Newsday (9 July 2013) p 3.