I’ll serve five years if I win: Mugabe

Politics
ZIMBABWE presidential aspirants Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF, MDC-T’s Morgan Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube of MDC, yesterday cast their ballots at different centres in Harare and Bulawayo.

ZIMBABWE presidential aspirants Robert Mugabe of Zanu PF, MDC-T’s Morgan Tsvangirai and Welshman Ncube of MDC, yesterday cast their ballots at different centres in Harare and Bulawayo, all expressing optimism that they would do well.

Nduduzo Tshuma

Mugabe cast his vote at his traditional Mhofu Primary School in Highfields, Harare, while Ncube voted at the Stanley Hall in Makokoba, Bulawayo.

Tsvangirai, on the other hand, cast his ballot at Mt Pleasant Hall in Harare.

Speaking after casting his vote, Mugabe dismissed allegations of vote-rigging by the MDC-T and international news organisations.

“That is politicking. They want to find a way out,” he said. “I am sure people will vote freely and fairly. There is no pressure being exerted on anyone.

“So far so good. I will serve five years if I win. I will not cheat my people if they vote for me.”

Tsvangirai, emerging from casting his ballot described the poll as a life-and-death vote.

“This is a historic moment for everyone to complete the delayed run-off from 2008. I will win resoundingly,” he said. “After suspicion and hostility, there is a sense of calmness that finally Zimbabwe will be able to move again.”

Ncube said he was happy with the election process, saying he would accept the outcome of the polls.

“Once the people of Zimbabwe have spoken, let us count their votes properly and let’s announce the results as quickly as possible,” he said.

“Let us respect the outcome thereafter. Whoever emerges victorious, let everyone accept that and wish them well in forming the next government.”

Ncube called on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to make sure that people arriving at the polling centres by 7pm be allowed to vote.

“I think that at the end of the day, everyone who wants to vote will be able to vote and I hope ZEC will ensure that every Zimbabwean votes by the end of the day,” he said.

“So far from all the reports we are getting from across the country, with the exception of a few teething problems concerning polling agents initially not being allowed in the polling stations, our understanding is that the process is going on smoothly.”

Ncube said, assuming that there would still be queues at the close of voting at 7pm, “the law should be followed so that everyone who is in the queue at 7pm will be allowed to cast their vote, that is why the law provides for and we hope ZEC will honour it.”

The MDC leader said he was feeling confident of winning.

“As I said, it’s out of my hands. It’s now in the hands of the people and I will accept the verdict of the people. We await that verdict,” Ncube added.