Voting extended after delays as Zimbabwe president known as ‘the crocodile’ seeks a second term

FARAI MUTSAKA

Election officials extended the voting in Zimbabwe’s presidential election until Thursday after delays of up to 10 hours in mostly opposition strongholds as President Emmerson Mnangagwa seeks a second and final term in a country with a history of violent and disputed elections.

Chaotic scenes characterized some polling stations in Zimbabwe as ballot papers that had been delivered up to 10 hours late ran out, forcing officials to suspend voting Wednesday night in many stations, especially in large urban areas including the capital Harare.

At the Haig Park Primary School polling station in Harare, people shoved and shouted at election officials and police officers after they were told to return Thursday morning because ballot papers for local council elections had run out.

“We are not going anywhere, we will sleep here,” people who had waited since early morning shouted in chorus.

Some stations had not received ballot papers