Representatives of NGOs and donor countries also reported that they were concerned the government would increasingly use food to “buy votes” in the run-up to the 2005 parliamentary elections, as witnessed in previous elections. For example, NGO representatives stated that during recent by-elections ZANU PF distributed food near polling sites, in an attempt to influence votes. Based on incidents reported during the 2000 presidential elections, several interviewees said that if food shortages materialized and if the GMB were the only source of grain, it was likely that in regions that generally supported the opposition, such as urban centers, it would be more difficult to obtain sufficient food in the run-up to the parliamentary election.28 Government restrictions on access to resettled areas According to international and national NGO representatives, the government continues to hamper their access to the resettled areas. As a result, vulnerable persons, including former farm workers, are largely excluded from food aid provided by the international food program.29 Sources in the agricultural industry reported that the government restricts general distributions of international food in the resettled areas on the basis that such distributions would show that the land reform program has been a failure.30 GMB distributions in the resettled areas have also been inadequate.31 The government reportedly perceives farm workers as supporters of the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC). It also asserts that farm workers who receive food aid become food aid dependent and are unwilling to work.32 Sources familiar with the farm workers’ situation have found, however, that food aid enables farm workers to work their own plots of land rendering them more self-sufficient and financially better off. Without food aid, farm workers are often compelled to work for less than minimum wage as casual farm laborers in order to buy food.33 28 Human Rights Watch interviews with representatives of NGOs and donor countries, Harare, April 29 to May 16, 2004. 29 Human Rights Watch interviews with representatives from NGOs and the U.N. and sources in the agricultural industry, Harare, April 28 and May 7, 11 and 14, 2004. 30 Human Rights Watch interview with sources in the agricultural industry, Harare, May 14, 2004. 31 SCF Zvimba report, p. 24. 32 Human Rights Watch interviews with government officials, Washington D.C., March 26, 2004. 33 Human Rights Watch interviews with NGO representatives and sources in the agricultural industry, Harare, April 30 and May 14, 3004. See also “Positive impact of food aid measured in Zimbabwe,” IRIN News, June 15, 2004. 8