Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has released 12,370 preliminary polling stations for the forthcoming harmonized elections on August 23. This indicates an increase of 869 polling stations since the previous announcement on July 2, which stated a total of 11,501 polling stations. Concerns have been raised by observers regarding ZEC’s decision not to publish the polling station codes. Additionally, there are calls for the release of the updated Voters’ Roll by ZEC.
According to the schedule provided by Mr Utloile Silaigwana, the chief elections officer of ZEC, the polling stations will be accessible to the public, including individuals with physical disabilities. Reads the statement:
The polling stations shall be located at the centres specified in the schedule. Polling shall take place from 7am to 7pm for the purpose of electing the State President, members of the National Assembly and councillors.
The Electoral Act prohibits polling stations from being located on premises owned or occupied by political parties or candidates, in police stations, barracks, cantonment areas, or other places permanently occupied by police officers or members of the Defense Forces.
Silaigwana said Bulawayo metropolitan province will have 434 polling stations, serving its 29 wards and 12 constituencies. Matabeleland North, with 197 wards and 13 constituencies, will have 918 polling stations. Matabeleland South will have 709 polling stations across its 168 wards. They are distributed as follows:
Bulawayo:
Cowdray Park constituency: 43 polling stations
Emakhandeni-Luveve constituency: 30 polling stations
Bulawayo South: 39 polling stations
Bulawayo North: 38 polling stations
Bulawayo Central: 38 polling stations
Entumbane-Njube: 33 polling stations
Lobengula-Magwegwe: 37 polling stations
Mpopoma-Mzilikazi: 35 polling stations
Nketa: 36 polling stations
Nkulumane: 36 polling stations
Pelandaba-Tshabalala: 32 polling stations
Pumula: 38 polling stations
Matabeleland North:
Tsholotsho North: 83 polling stations
Binga North: 66 polling stations
Binga South: 73 polling stations
Bubi: 77 polling stations
Hwange Central: 46 polling stations
Hwange East: 81 polling stations
Hwange West: 61 polling stations
Lupane East: 69 polling stations
Lupane West: 92 polling stations
Nkayi North: 60 polling stations
Nkayi South: 59 polling stations
Tsholotsho South: 82 polling stations
Umguza: 79 polling stations
Matabeleland South:
Bulilima: 76 polling stations
Beitbridge West: 52 polling stations
Gwanda North: 61 polling stations
Gwanda South: 52 polling stations
Gwanda-Tshitaudze: 56 polling stations
Insiza North: 55 polling stations
Insiza South: 57 polling stations
Mangwe: 72 polling stations
Matobo: 57 polling stations
Matobo-Mangwe: 55 polling stations
Umzingwane: 65 polling stations
The electoral process began in June with the opening of postal votes, which closed recently. The National Council of Chiefs also held its elections at different venues nationwide. On Thursday, ZEC oversaw the National Council of Chiefs elections, marking the initial stage of this year’s polls.
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