Published: June 29, 2008 12:04 am            

Laura Wilson 06-29-08

Well, they held an election, sort of, in Zimbabwe, if you can call a run-off with only one candidate left in the race an election.

There were two candidates, but the opposition (to the existing government) candidate dropped out because of violence against his people.

Even so, even though he was the only candidate left, President (or dictator — whatever) Robert Mugabe’s supporters still forced people to vote and made sure they voted for Mugabe. I suppose he finally figured out what he did wrong in the earlier election that forced the run-off; his people didn’t threaten to kill enough other people.

According to reports, residents were taken to the polls, whether they wanted to go or not, and others were told that if they didn’t vote (and presumably vote the right way since Morgan Tsvangirai’s name is still on the ballot), their homes would be burned down.

Mugabe, of course, is predicting victory, and why wouldn’t he? Who would dare vote against him in a country where everyone knows the government will know how they vote?

As we prepare for our elections in November, we can be thankful that no matter how dirty it gets, we can still vote without fear.

Laura Wilson can be reached at 372-5000, Ext. 230, or .

        

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