Woke up very early this morning, to go and exercise my democratic right… Got to the polling station at about 0640h, and there was a queue of about 100 people. All very eager to vote, and all thinking that things would only get hectic later. Which they didn’t- but I will get to that.

The actual process was fairly simple. Walked into the polling station, presented my national ID (a metal ID that’s very distinctive- it clangs in the most awful way when you drop it). Had my fingers checked for ink. Went to the desk where my name was crossed off the register. Moved on to where I dipped my finger into red ink (so much nicer than the invisible ink that shows up under UV light- that used to sting! Lol), and then on to where I got my four ballots: presidential, senate, parliamentary (MP), and council. At each point, although the people giving out the ballots were right next to each other, the same process: a greeting, a clear explanation of exactly how to vote and fold the ballot over, as well as how to show it to the electoral officer afterwards, before putting it into the box. Wonderful. And then I voted… And realised how confusing it might be for older voters (ok, sorry, being patronising). The parliamentary ballot had so many names on it.. And then of course there are two MDCs…

Anyway, that was it. left feeling elated. Went back to the polling station later, to find it empty (could picture the dust and tumbleweed).. Not sure, but it appears there was a very low turnout for these elections- which is just amazing to me. That doesn’t really matter, though. Anyone who didn’t vote has no right to complain about the situation anymore…

Now to wait for the results.

images: the City Hall, a polling station; and the ink on the left baby finger