11 Pervasive violence undoubtedly reduced the demand to vote, and indeed the percentage of registered voters was slightly down on the General Election. More troubling were the reports of electoral irregularities. The independent press reported that close to 4000 new voters were moved into Bindura and registered to vote for the ruling party. 27 This practice has been alleged in other constituencies across the country. It is unlikely that Binura would have seen a 6% rise in eligible voters in a single year without some sort of forced resettlement exercise. In addition to the rise in voters there were also reports that Zanu (PF) officials were taking roll calls of resettled farmers nightly to make sure they had voted for the ruling party. The increase could have, however, been a consequence of the land re-settlement process, and the probability that many new persons had moved into the commercial farms to take up re-settlement offers, or were invaders of commercial farms. With the continuation of mass violence and allegations of severe electoral improprieties, the Bindura by-election was flawed in many ways. Numerous MDC supporters reported that they did not cast their ballots out of fear. Incidents of violence were well publicized throughout the constituency, and many residents feared retribution if they voted against the ruling party. On election day, Pfebve and other MDC supporters were detained by the ZRP for two hours. Several MDC vehicles were impounded, thus impeding the MDC’s ability to monitor the elections. With these factors in consideration, the Bindura by-election cannot be seen to have been free and fair. This was the comment of those who observed the bye-election, such as ZESN. MDC did not enter an electoral challenge to the result. 5. Makoni West By-election – 8-9 September 2001 The Makoni West by-election was necessitated by the death of Zanu (PF) MP and Minister of Defence, Moven Mahachi, who died in a car accident. Ironically, his death came in the middle of an election challenge brought against Mahachi by the MDC for violent and fraudulent tactics allegedly employed during the run-up to the 2000 parliamentary election. During the pre-election cycle of that election, opposition supporters alleged that Mahachi had engaged in mass violence, forced registration of voters, and roll calls of voters. The violence got so bad that the MDC encouraged its supporters to destroy their party cards in order to save themselves from attacks by Zanu (PF) youth and war veteran militias. While Zanu (PF) was able to hold mass rallies during this time, the MDC was reduced to low-profile door-to-door campaigns and secret rallies at night to reduce the possibility of violence against its members. The pre by-election cycle was no different. Reports came out of ZRP-Rusape that officers would be transferred if they were found reading the Daily News. Both parties forced opposite party supporters to destroy their party cards, although reports implicated Zanu (PF) on a much higher scale. Zanu (PF) supporters and war veteran militias established bases around the constituency that were used to launch both campaign activities and waves of violence. Incidents of arson against opposition party supporters began emerging and villagers were told repeatedly that they would be answerable to war veteran militias and Zanu (PF) youth if the ruling party lost the election. Zanu (PF) seemed intent on mandating support. Numerous reports allege forced purchasing of party cards and forced attendance at rallies and pungwes. Zanu (PF) youth groups were given $13 000 by party leaders, while village elders affiliated with the ruling party were promised loans. Local leaders promised maize if residents voted for Zanu (PF). At one point ZESN members trying to monitor a Zanu (PF) meeting were abducted, force-marched, and forced to chant Zanu (PF) slogans. 27 See ZESN (2001), Bindura By-election Report, HARARE: ZESN. AMANI TRUST: Organised Violence and Torture in the Bye-Elections held in Zimbabwe during 2000 and 2001.