Update: 9am

The ballot papers are not colour coded in totality. The Presidential, Senatorial and House of Assembly papers are white with a block at the top denoting the relevant colour for the vote type, white for Presidential, green for Senatorial and blue for House of Assembly, MP. Only the Council papers are entirely yellow. Each voting sector has its own box, and is marked by a small strip of colour. It is not easy for an illiterate person to cope with the procedure. Already one man at a station in Bulawayo, the fifth to vote in his ward, made the error of putting all four papers into the first box for President. At least his vote for President will be valid, the rest are spoilt.

Harare

Yesterday a group of French speaking West African observers were seen at a popular Portuguese restaurant in the city centre. They arrived at noon and by 6 pm were still ensconced at their table, swigging imported wine and in no fit state to carry out their duty. So much for reliable observers.

This morning in Harare the streets are quiet with few cars on the road. The queues are growing with Avonlea already into a thousand people waiting.

Troops have been seen in carriers prowling the streets. Apparently they are showing their pink fingers to the people they pass, proud they have voted!

Police at one police station were seen parading in riot gear.

Apparently a young woman in Harare whose father is in the police has information that there was widespread rigging in the police postal ballot. However she is too afraid to go online and report it to the Zimbabwe Democracy Now’s initiative to pay handsome rewards for this kind of information.

Bob has been spied careering around in party regalia, this is meant to be illegal.

Karoi

6 additional stations were opened overnight. The polling agents for the opposition have had to split up to cover their duties, meaning each station now has only one opposition agent per station.

Gokwe

Low flying jets circled this rural area early this morning. The intimidation there is growing.

West Zvimba

A group of 9 MDC supporters and polling agents were attacked by over 100 ZANU PF supporters. One of the polling agents was put under house arrest and told not to bother to do his job. He has already left his house and is determined to carry out his duty. His bravery is formidable.

Kariba

An unconfirmed report has come in that only one polling station is serving the whole of Kariba town. People started queuing yesterday to make sure their voices are heard.

Bulawayo

Ward 2, Bulawayo East - 19 polling stations were opened but without any opposition Polling Agents on duty. ZEC had “lost” the official accreditation forms and all the agents had to go to the ZEC command centre to get copies of their forms made.

Voting average times per polling station are averaging at around 35 to 40 votes being cast per hour. Each polling station serves approximately 1000 registered voters. If there is a 50% turnout then voting should take about 12½ hours. However, most people believe turnout is going to be far higher. It is going to be a long day.

Update: 1pm

Voting average times per polling station are averaging at around 35 to 40 votes being cast per hour. Each polling station serves approximately 1000 registered voters. If there is a 50% turnout then voting should take about 12½ hours. However, most people believe turnout is going to be far higher. It is going to be a long day.

Chinhoyi

We are still waiting for confirmation on a story that Ignatius Chombo was arrested here yesterday when he was found in possession of ballot boxes stuffed with votes.

Chinhoyi and Karoi

People are openly waving the MDC greeting. In the last elections these were no go areas for the opposition and people would not have dared risk their lives for such action.

Masvingo

It has been confirmed that a certain brand of drain cleaner washes off the “indelible” ink used to prevent people from voting again.

Zvimba East (Mugabe home turf)

Heard about activists who just passed through a road block manned by the police. They tried to give the men in uniform ‘Morgan for President’ stickers, but the cops declined, smiled and politely waved them off!

Bulawayo and Harare

Voting queues have tailed off and the streets are dead quiet. opposition candidates are pushing ZEC officials

Bulawayo

Another unconfirmed report has come in that Judith Ncube, a ZANU PF candidate, from Emakandeni had her house bombed. Apparently she is hurt, but not critical.

Countrywide

Rumours are abounding that there is a hit list for specific opposition leaders.

(Source: Sokwanele Blog)