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Text messages for change

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Rumours are swirling, and it’s now 3 and a half days – 84 hours – since polls closed in Zimbabwe’s 29 March Harmonised Election, and the result is still very much up in the air. Only House of Assembly seats have been announced, and the current tally is Zanu PF 85, MDC (Tsvangirai) 85, MDC (Mutambara) 5, with 34 left to go (never mind the Senate and Presidential results).

As announcements by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission have been trickling out, we’ve been forwarding them to our SMS subscribers, many of whom do not have access to television or radio, or who are hit by Zimbabwe’s persistent electricity shortage.

Here are some replies from Zimbabweans across the country as we all wait and hope:

Why are the election results taking forever to be announced? We hope they don’t want to employ some dirty tricks. The people of Zimbabwe wont accept any such rubbish. Enough is enough. the people have spoken and their word should be honoured.

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I was a polling officer in Harare Province. Massive rigging can actually take place through those postal ballots. All the votes were for ZANU PF. There were no names for us to cross out in the voters roll in case the voters would have voted already. Many ballot papers could not be accounted for.

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But why the silence and the delaying tactics. Lets hope they are not going 2 steal the election again.

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Very much interested in hearing results 4 U.M.P & Rushinga who normally betray us during times like this. Tables are being turned down. The people have spoken out their minds. This is the true reflection of the Zimbabwean spirit for years.

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We’ve hung on long enough… tine mapepa edu hatishaye zvekundoita kunze uko!

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Nobody is going to manipulate the result try as they may. We will be going for a run-off between Tsvangirai and Makoni. our democracy demands that!

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It is time for MDC came out with proof of their results eg photos etc – give out facts not accusations.

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Hope is what is needed at this time they can delay but not deny the wish of the people.

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What criteria are they using kuti paite madraw. If they are busy rigging tell them that I’m prepared to die 4 this country!

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We r peace loving but we wont hesitate 2 fight 4 change this time around. We will take 2 the streets to redeem our votes! Why are the results being released piecemeal. And why is it each batch shows the parties tied. The coincidence is strange. This shows a carefully managed (read rigged) results. The CIO’s hand is evident in this.

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The people’s patience is being tested. Hope the losers are not too desperate to retain power.

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Zanu pf is doing what is called psychological management of the electorate.

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We need change 4 the future of our Zimbabwe. We need jobs & economic opportunities.

One comment to “Text messages for change”

  1. Comment by Global Voices Online » Zimbabwe: Using New Technologies to Fight for Democracy:

    [...] Atwood writes, “Text messages for change”: As announcements by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission have been trickling out, we’ve been [...]