The report explains that villagers in order to get free farming equipment must prove their loyalty to the Zanu-PF. The Zanu-PF threatened that if they lose, the farmers will not get the free equipment.
So far, the opposition parties have made a threat to boycott the polls if they are not free. It is also reported that the talks have broken down between the Zanu-PF and opposition factions for the assurance that the polls are free.
While the talks were due to continue on Thursday, they were delayed at the Zanu-PF’s request.
The task has been given to South Africa’s President Thabo Mbeki from the Southern Africa Development Community of helping to find a solution to the political crisis that has plagued Zimbabwe.
Both the opposition and observers say that the previous elections were rigged in the Zanu-PF’s favor.
According to the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), there have been many cases of voter intimidation.
“In Masvingo Central constituency… [donated] ploughs were only allocated to people who held a fully paid-up Zanu-PF membership card and could chant correctly at least three of the party’s slogans,” according to ZESN’s report.
There were also reports of both violence and coercion during the mobilization of marches in December to support President Robert Mugabe.
So far, the opposition parties have demanded that the voters’ poll be completely overhauled.
However, President Mugabe does not want the polls to be delayed.
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