Tension as verification of presidential election ballots proceeds

By Tererai Karimakwenda
11 August 2005

The situation outside seemed normal at the high court in Harare on Thursday but a crucial process was in progress, inside. Lawyers for the MDC and those for the registrar general were busy verifying ballots from the disputed presidential election of 2002. The opposition contends that the election was rigged and that the voters roll was amended to give an advantage to the ruling party.

Lawyers now have the enormous task of verifying information from an event that took place 3 years ago. The delay was due to registrar general Tobaiwa Mudede, who had defied court orders requiring him to release the ballot boxes and other documents that are now being used in the verification process. MDC officials alleged that this was done to allow the government time to hide any evidence of the rigging.

Our Harare correspondent, Simon Muchemwa, who was outside the High Court in Harare said the atmosphere was very tense. But surprisingly he said there was hardly any security, despite the presence of such important documents.