The DOs and DONTs: Your guide on what to do and not on election day

1. Know your polling station: The first thing you must be sure of is the polling station which you will be able to cast your vote in. Be reminded that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission recently held a delimitation process and it is highly likely that your polling station might have changed. You can check by dialing *265# and follow prompts to view your registration details. Or visit http://bvrinspection.zec.org.zw:4328/zecvr2/ 

A part of Section 56 of the Electoral Act reads:

“(b) except as provided in Part XIV (“PostalVoting”),a voter shall not be entitled to vote otherwise than at a polling station located in a ward for which he or she is registered as a voter on the ward voters roll”

2. Carry your identification document: For the purposes of identification, polling agents will require you to produce either of the two; a National ID or a valid Passport. Please Note, a Driver’s Licence or a birth certificate will not be accepted.

 See here what happens in the polling station.

3. Remove nail polish: Those who have voted are identifiable by an ink on their left small finger. This ink is applied to mark that you have cast your vote. If you appear at the polling station with some ink on that finger you may be turned away. It is therefore advisable that you remove nail polish and or avoid artificial nails on your left small finger on the polling day. 

4. Do not wear party regalia: Party regalia with party symbols and candidates’ faces are strictly prohibited at the polling station. Be it caps, shirts, doeks, scarfs etc

5. Do not chant party slogans: Those who chant party slogans, sing party songs will be turned away from the polling station and or taken into custody by the police. Also, the distribution of party fliers and the carrying of posters is strictly prohibited.

6. Do not use your cellphone when you are inside the polling station. The taking of photographs is also prohibited. It can only be done by accredited journalists. See here.

7. Avoid intoxication. People who go to the polling station drunk or intoxicated will be turned away.

Section 89 of the Electoral Act on the disorderly conduct says:

“(2) Any person who on polling day in any election, and in a polling station or in the immediate vicinity of a polling station, is intoxicated by liquor or drugs or violent or disorderly shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level five or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.”