Foreign observers warned they could be locked up

The police commissioner also warned international observers monitoring to abide by the laws governing their conduct or risk being locked up until after the vote.

Chihuri, said some observers had gone to a police station to try to secure the release of arrested political activists. “They tried to lecture to our police on how educated they are and called police officers uneducated morons,” he said. “Already we have had some observers acting contrary to the laws of the country... police will not hesitate to use the same laws against them.”

Asked what would happen to observers who breached the rules, Chihuri said:

“The laws of the land will apply. They will be kept in safe custody until the (election) directorate releases them and maybe send them home.”