Saturday, 09 March, 2002
12
Injured In Zimbabwe Election Clash
VOA
News
9
Mar 2002
 
Zimbabwean
officials say 12 people have been injured in Harare, the capital, in a
clash between police and impatient voters trying to cast their ballots
on the first day of the closely-fought presidential election.
Officials say the
incident occurred Saturday, when voters tried to force their way into
a polling station in the western Harare borough of Kuwadzana.
 |
 |
| AP |
|
| First
voters wait for permission to enter a polling station |
|
Witnesses say
voters are angry because many names have been removed from voting lists
in the capital, an opposition stronghold. Thousands of people were still
waiting to cast their ballots late Saturday afternoon as delays hampered
voting operations.
Late Friday, police
detained 12 farmers who were driving opposition election monitors to
polling stations. There are conflicting reports about whether they are
still being held. Meanwhile, the opposition Movement for Democratic
Change says it has not been allowed to place election monitors at most
voting precincts.
Longtime President
Robert Mugabe faces a strong challenge from MDC candidate and former
labor leader Morgan Tsvangirai. The MDC says it expects massive
vote-rigging by the government, a charge denied by President Robert
Mugabe and his aides.
In Washington, the
Bush administration says it is ready to take action against Zimbabwe
if the voting is not free and fair. Voting continues on Sunday, but it
may be several days before results are announced.
Some information
for this report provided by AFP.
Email
this article to a friend.
Printer
Friendly Version |