Zimbabwe’s opposition parties took to the streets Wednesday, demanding the country’s election regulators release voter rolls to be used in the July 30 general election. Thousands joined Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change-MDC-Alliance and marched to the offices of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. They held placards denouncing the commission and accusing it of rigging for the ruling ZANU-PF party to win. After a meeting with the commission, Chamisa explained the opposition’s demands. “The ballot paper has to be done in a transparent manner. We must agree, we must observe. We must be accountable and open. The issue of the voters’ roll in terms of the law. We must have a biometric voters’ roll with pictures with everything as per the law,” he said.
The 40-year-old politician told his supporters that the opposition would permanently camp out at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission if the ZEC does not give in to their demands.
The opposition wants the electoral body to release the actual voter roll so it can be checked for ghost voters.
Political commentator Rejoice Ngwenya says Zimbabwe risks more protests and another disputed election if the electoral commission does not release the roll and ballot paper as per opposition demands.
Full Article: Zimbabwe: Opposition Protests Elections Commission – allAfrica.com.