By Own Correspondent| The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) has expressed concern over the chaotic start of the postal voting process across the country calling on the country’s elections body ZEC to guarantee the secrecy of the postal vote.

In a recently issued statement, ZESN said  reports emanating from Ross Camp in Bulawayo alleging that junior members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police  (ZRP) received their ballots from their superiors and voted in their presence were disturbing since they violated the Electoral Act.

“ZESN notes that these allegations are in violation of Section 75(1)(a) of the Electoral Act which guarantees the secrecy of the postal vote.

In the spirit of transparency and open data, ZESN is calling upon ZEC to publicize the  regulations and procedures for postal voting in order to diffuse the confusion and speculation around the process. In addition, the specific number of ballot papers dispatched to the diplomatic corps, uniformed forces and electoral officers must be made public,” said the elections watchdog.

ZESN said it was worrying that initially, there were conflicting statements issued by the ZEC and ZRP regarding the commencement of the postal voting yesterday.

“Whereas ZEC dismissed reports of the postal voting as “hogwash”, the ZRP confirmed that voting had indeed taken place in Bulawayo.

This has further fueled doubts on the credibility of the entire process,” said ZESN.

ZESN reiterated calls for ZEC to ensure that secrecy of the vote and freedom of choice are respected and upheld given that voting by members of the uniformed forces under postal and special voting has always been contentious.

“Traditionally, postal and special voting has been shrouded in secrecy amid allegations that junior members are commanded to vote in specific ways,” said the ZESN.

“ZEC should extend invitations to observers and political parties to observe the postal voting to enhance public confidence in the electoral process.

The organisation lamented the absence of proper observation of such key electoral processes adding that this fueled speculation and impacted negatively on the credibility of the polls.