News readers have reacted against the trip to Russia by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Chairperson, Priscilla Chigumba. Many passed allegations that the trip is a sign that there are some underhand dealings by the ZEC since Russia has been accused of gross manipulation of electoral processes.

Dr Pedzisai Ruhanya said, “I bet the Russian visit was about electoral manipulation. Remember Stalin – It is not the vote that counts but he who counts the vote. Zimbos should get prepared for the greatest electoral fraud in the history of elections…

“The Kremlin is well known for manipulating elections. Sergie Lavrov (Russian Foreign Affairs Minister) was in the country 2 weeks ago. And now they host Mutswanga and ZEC Chair Justice Chigumba and her officials.”

Meanwhile, below was Farai Marvelous Kuvheya’s rendition: ZEC Chairperson Priscilla Chigumba seen here in Russia with Special Advisor to President ED Mnangagwa, Chris Mutsvangwa. The trip was at the invitation of Russia who recently held their Presidential Elections. Just trying to imagine a local referee going for a “coaching clinic” in Spain in the company of a Dembare striker then coming back to officiate in a match between Dembare and Kepekepe. Freedom of association is a right for every citizen but under these circumstances definitely is not proper. For decades ZEC has been seen as far from being independent and surely this only makes people more suspicious of our electoral process and puts a dent into the credibility of the Chairperson before she even organises her first election.

For the record Russia has been fingered in tempering with the last American elections and investigations are on going. If they can temper with elections in a big nation such as America I shudder to think what they can do in small Zimbabwe whose leadership is used to trampling on the rights of their citizens.