Voting kicked off peacefully in Mutare

MUTARE- Voting kicked off peacefully here with fewer voters than expected queuing to cast their ballots in these crucial elections.
The verve that characterized the pre-election period was a far cry from the voter turn – out. In Sakubva, the most populous high density suburb, there were very short queues at most polling stations. In Dangamvura, the second populous high-density suburb, the situation was the same.
I n the city center, the queues were short. At one time, this reporter counted about 40 people lining up to vote.
Only in the new high-density suburb of Hobhouse there were long queues. One voter, Obvious Zengeya, who cast his ballot in Hobhouse said he was confident of a change of government in Zimbabwe. “I made sure my vote is counted,” Zengeya said. “My vote will contribute towards change to a better Zimbabwe.”
Voters were expected to flood voting stations in the afternoon, an official manning a polling booth in Sakubva said.
There were no incidents of violence reported anywhere as of mid day in Manicaland Province.
The pre – election hype that characterized the campaign period has not yet matched the number of people going to the polling stations.