#ElectionsZW: Here is how to vote in 7 steps

ElectionsZW: Here is how to vote in 7 steps

Join the queue

When a voter arrives at the right polling stations, they must join the queue, however, it must be noted that special attention is often given to the elderly, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and nursing mothers

Present your identification

When you enter the polling room or tent, you must show your valid national identification documents. Your fingers will then be checked for indelible ink. This ink is what is used to mark a person who has voted so that they do not vote twice.

Your name is checked in the voters’ roll

When it has been proven that you do not have the indelible ink, your name is then checked in the voters roll to confirm that you are a registered voter. If you are registered, your name will then be crossed out to indicate that you came to vote

You are given a ballot paper

If your name has been found in the voters roll you are then given the ballot paper. Depending on the election, you might receive one ballot paper or several ballot papers. For example, in a general election, you are given three different ballot papers, one for President, one for MP, and one for Councillor. In a by-election, you might receive one for MP or Councillor and in some cases when both the MP and councillor seats are vacant, you might receive two ballot papers.

Your finger is marked with indelible ink

When you receive your ballot paper or ballot papers, your small left finger will be marked with indelible ink. In cases of disability or where you have no such a finger, the next finger will be marked. This is done to show that you have been given material to vote. And to prevent you from going to another polling station to vote again.

Secretly mark your ballot papers (Vote)

When you have received your ballot papers and your finger has been marked, you then go into a voting booth where you secretly mark your ballot papers with an X in front of your preferred candidates in a box/space provided. Make sure the X fits inside the space provided. Please note that it’s a crime to take pictures of your marked ballot papers.

Fold your ballot paper and place in the ballot box

When you have finished marking/ voting for your preferred candidate, fold your ballot papers in a manner that would have been indicated, then walk to the ballot boxes and drop the marked ballot papers. When you have finished voting, you walk out of the room or tent to make way for others.

ElectionsZW: Here is how to vote in 7 steps