Zimbabwe: Thousands use ballots to insult President Mugabe

(SomaliNet) Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters wrote rude messages on their ballot papers, many of them insulting of Robert Mugabe.

According to sources, there were 131 481 spoilt papers among the more than two-million ballots cast on Friday in the presidential election, from which MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai had withdrawn only days earlier.

Marwick Khumalo, leader of the Pan-African Parliament observer mission, said \"unpalatable messages were written on many of the spoilt ballots\".

A Southern African Development Community observer said some comments included the word \"stupid\" written over the picture of Mugabe.

\"Some people wrote distasteful things such as anus or f*** you. They were messages of anger,\" the observer said.

An African Union observer said some people had voted for Tsvangirai, although he had withdrawn. A significant number of voters \"insulted Mugabe\".

\"We saw ballot papers with words that included \'a***hole\' and \'butcher\' … Some included \'I\'m hungry\'.\"

Most of the spoilt ballots were in urban areas, where the MDC commands support, although most urban voters stayed away, observers said.

In Bulawayo, an MDC stronghold, there were 9 166 spoilt papers, while 13 291 people voted for Tsvangirai and 21 127 for Mugabe. In Harare, an MDC stronghold, there were 36 477 spoilt papers, while Tsvangirai received 48 317 votes and Mugabe 156 478.

Taxi driver Marokhato Katiyo, of Chitungwiza, said he spoiled his ballot in a \"gesture of protest\". \"(Tsvangirai) is not allowed to participate freely in the polls. Who do I vote for?\"-Cape Times