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by Farai Mutsaka | HARARE, Zimbabwe – Zimbabwean police have banned the main opposition party from demonstrating in front of the country's electoral commission, while tension rages several days before a historic vote.
The MDC party plans to visit the offices of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission on Wednesday to demand transparency in the handling of ballot papers. Douglas Mwonzora, the secretary general of the MDC, said the police had banned the demonstration.
Charity Charamba, spokeswoman for the police, did not comment saying that she was in a meeting. the past. The government of longtime leader Robert Mugabe, who resigned in November under military pressure, has often repressed such protests.
The July 30 vote is the first without Mugabe since independence in 1980.
The electoral commission told political parties that it would not respond to opposition demands, including allowing party agents to accompany ballot papers between polling stations.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, former Mugabe MP Nelson Chamisa. Mnangagwa promised free and fair elections, essential for the lifting of international sanctions.
On Tuesday, the UN human rights office said it was concerned about the growing number of reports of intimidation and threats of violence. ] The UN statement noted reports, particularly in rural areas, of people forced to attend campaign rallies. He called on the authorities to ensure that all Zimbabweans can participate in the vote "without fear".
At the same time, the declaration welcomed the recent peaceful demonstrations and the presence of human rights groups before the vote. 19659015] Follow the news of Africa on https://twitter.com/AP_Africa
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