How to Steal an Election

Driving all over Harare, if you didn't know better, you'd think there were no MDC supporters, when in reality the capital is heavily pro-MDC, especially in the so-called "high-density suburbs," heavily populated housing developments. There are no MDC posters. Rallies are banned by police, and when the courts overturn the bans, Green Bombers attack the events while police stand by. In the last few days, the streets have become increasingly less crowded. Partly this is because many businesses have shut down to keep their workers out of harm's way; some fear that many will not open after the election either, with rampant inflation and artificially low price controls on many goods combining to make many businesses unprofitable.

But another major reason is fear of abduction by the gangs of ZANU-PF youths roaming the streets. "It's so pathetic," says a college student, a young woman who leaves her home at 6 a.m. to dodge ZANU patrols. "Everyone is living in fear. I know four people who we heard were killed, but everyone was afraid to go to the funeral." This took place last week in a town only 22 miles north of Harare, but as yet it's unreported. These squads round up people to take them to vigils at their campsites, which are dotted in nearly every neighborhood. There, they're kept until the wee hours, singing ZANU-PF songs and chanting slogans—and occasionally getting beaten with sticks if they lack enthusiasm. Nearly every poor person, domestic and day laborer has been to one of these "re-education" sessions, which offer very little re-education. Instead, they're harangued about how they'll be killed if they don't vote for Mugabe.

The ballot of course is supposed to be secret, but ballots are marked with serial numbers, and ZANU-PF activists are telling voters they'll be required to note down their serial number and turn it in to them afterwards so they can later check to see how they voted. Staying away from the voting places as a protest vote is not an option, either. Since voters have indelible ink put on their fingers to prevent fraud, it'll be clear if they did their civic duty or not. Some of the re-education sessions turn ugly, especially when the organizers round up an MDC party member. In an upscale neighborhood in Harare, I visited a house and was warned that one of these ZANU-PF camps was just down the street. At first, it was just an annoyance, loud music and chanting all night long. Then it was a more serious concern, as maids and gardeners began getting rounded up for the sessions. People took to leaving their houses only after carefully scouting the street. On Wednesday morning, after one session, neighbors saw the militiamen carry in one of the telltale aluminum caskets the police here use. It was so light that two men could carry it easily. It took several more to carry it back out.

How anyone with a straight face will declare this a free and fair election, especially since there's only one candidate, is difficult to imagine. Nevertheless, Ambassador McGee says he's going out on the streets Friday, to see just how bad it gets. He won't be in very good company.

© 2008