Democracy: Zimbabwe Style

The odds are pretty good that Zimbabwe's President Mugabe will be re-elected today. That's a photo of somebody at a voting booth in Zimbabwe. The chap to the right, in riot gear, is making sure that everything's done properly.

Opposition candidate Tsvangirai's name is still on the ballot, since Zimbabwe's electoral officials said that his withdrawal from the race on Sunday came too late.

That's a nice gesture of due process in the election.

I still don't think the dude in armor is there to guarantee a free and open election, though.

On a more positive note, today's voting has proceeded with no reports of dismemberment or live cremation. In Zimbabwe, that's impressive.

Zimbabwe's election in the news:

• "Voters led to polls in Zimbabwe election"
  Associated Press (June 27, 2008)
• "Zimbabwe Election Marked By Intimidation"
  CBS News (June 27, 2008)

More at:

• "War on Terror: Zimbabwe Has Trouble, Too"
  (June 23, 2008)
• "Terrorism: Still Not a Muslim Monopoly"
  (June 11, 2008)