HARARE – The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), under fire for printing ballot papers outside the knowledge of participating political parties, has given in to opposition demands to avail the crucial poll information before Wednesday’s vote.

This comes after Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Wednesday filed an urgent application through the Electoral Court seeking an order to compel the controversial poll management authority to release information relating to printing of ballot papers.

The matter was set down before Harare High Court judge Tawanda Chitapi who granted an order with consent from both parties.

“It is ordered by consent that the matter be and is hereby postponed to 21 August 2023 at 10AM.

“Should the need to file opposing papers arise, the respondents shall file and serve their opposing papers on or before the 20th of August 2023.

“There is no order as to costs,” said Chitapi in a brief ruling on Thursday.

After the order was granted, Advocate Thabani Mpofu, representing CCC, said, “ZEC has advised that it will supply all the information relating to the printing and distribution of ballot papers.”

ZEC committed to availing the information demanded by end of day this Friday.

CCC filed the application through its secretary for elections, Ian Makone on Wednesday.

The main opposition party, in its application, said it became aware that postal balloting by members of the uniformed forces and printing of ballot papers was already in progress.

The opposition also argued it was entitled to the information prior to the exercise in terms of s52A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13).

CCC also sought to compel ZEC to release “all the information relating to where and by whom ballot papers to be used in the harmonised elections to be held on the 23th of August 2023 were printed” and the total number of ballot papers that have been printed for the poll.

The Nelson Chamisa led party was also seeking to be furnished with details of the intended distribution of ballot papers to each polling station in the country.

CCC wants ZEC to “ensure that the total number of ballot papers printed does not exceed, by more than 10 percent, the number of voters eligible to vote in the harmonised elections…”

The party also sought court to compel ZEC to release serial numbers by polling stations of the ballot papers to be distributed to each and every polling station.

CCC said, in terms of relief sought, “Given however that there has already been a violation of the law, it is important that the court afford relief that ensures that respondents do not by their conduct, benefit rival political parties in breach of the constitution.

“It is also essential that no advantage be availed to anyone arising of breach of the law.

“It is this imperative that relief conducive to a proper audit of process be extended.

“That way, we would be put in a position in which we are able to secure our rights.

“For that reason, we pray for relief bearing on the provision of serial numbers as that would help make the entire process verifiable.”

Zimbabwe heads for the crunch poll next week with opponents arguing the current situation favours the ruling Zanu PF party which has control over the operations of ZEC.