The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission,ZEC, says voters should have confidence in the commission and not be discouraged by false information circulating on social media that the election would be rigged, as there were inherent foolproof measures in place to avoid any rigging.

Social media has been awash with messages that ZEC is conniving with the ruling ZANU PF to rig the election using some very scientific methods such as using a ballot paper that can shift votes between candidates.

Critics are also circulating social media messages that the pens provided by ZEC also have a similar scientific effect that may affect opposition votes in favour of ZANU PF.

Zec chief elections officer Mr Utoile Silaigwana said, “If voters are in doubt of the provided pens, they are free to bring their own blue or black pens. The Commission will be providing ordinary pens for use in the polling booth.”

Zec said it had transported ballot papers and security materials in the presence of representatives of contesting parties.

Further, political party agents and observers will be allowed to verify serial numbers of ballot papers.

The Presidential ballot paper is blue, the National Assembly one is peach, while that for local authorities is yellow. Ballot boxes have corresponding colours.

A final batch of electoral officers finished training last Wednesday and were deployed to over 10 000 polling stations countrywide.

In all, there are 131 000 polling officers.

Voting material has been distributed to polling stations, and voting shall take place from 7am to 7pm tomorrow.

Voters in a queue by the cut-off time will be allowed to cast their ballots.

“The voting process has not changed from previous years. People will still vote in the same manner they have voted before in the forthcoming elections. The only difference is that the voters’ roll will have voters’ photographs and voters will be expected to vote at only their designated polling stations,” said Mr Silaigwana.

Counting will be done immediately after close of polling at polling stations.

The voting process and counting will happen in the presence of election agents, observers and/or the media. The results will be shared with election agents and posted outside polling stations.

According to the Electoral Act, Zec has the mandate to announce election results.

Mr Silaigwana encouraged citizens to observe peace during and after voting, with political parties advised to cease campaigning 24 hours before Election Day.

Zec expressed confidence that the elections would proceed without hitches.