Zimbabwe voters' views: Sandra

Sandra (not her real name), 23, is an accountant in Zimbabwe's second city, Bulawayo.

I have been employed for the past three years and I haven't even got myself a bed. Why? Because I can't afford it.

ZIMBABWE VOTERS' VIEWS Sandra, Bulawayo Farai, Harare Masiza, Harare Richard, Hwange Cleopas, Marondera

The money that I earn only goes on food and transport. It makes me angry because I deserve more. I deserve a better economy.

My preferred candidate is Simba Makoni.

I really think that this country needs someone with an economic background. We need someone who can really turn things around.

At least then we can regain our economic credibility and independence.

People to support

I have people I need to support. My grandmother does not have enough of a pension. The money they [my grandparents] were given for a pension is only enough for chewing gum.

No way are these elections are going to be free and fair. People in rural areas are being told to vote for Zanu PF

My grandmother and grandfather are in a rural area. Every month I go and buy them basic necessities like sugar and soap and then I send it to them. I don't go myself because I can't afford the bus ride so I give the supplies to the bus driver to give them.

I have to run outside if I hear a bus and see if it is the right bus going to the village. There is no timetable so we don't know when the buses might go. The roads are in a terrible state.

I last saw my grandparents about a year and a two months ago because we lost a relative so we travelled to the rural areas. I haven't been able to return since then because I cannot afford it but also without any reliable transport I might be stuck there for a very long time.

I don't know who my grandparents will vote for but they do not want Zanu-PF.

'Big lie'

I want to make a statement in this election. I wish everyone could vote for change. If we vote in large numbers for change it would be great.

The money that I earn only goes on food and transport. It makes me angry

But no way are these elections going to be free and fair. People in rural areas are being told to vote for Zanu-PF. They are being told that there are cameras in the polling stations and they can see everything that can happen in the polling station.

That is a big lie. Everyone has the right to a secret vote.

I fear they will all vote for Zanu-PF because of that.

What I suspect is that the queue is going to be long [at the polling station] because it will take time for one person to vote. People really want to get rid of Mugabe but the polling stations are not equipped well. There are not many.

They want to do anything to frustrate people who want to vote.

But I will be there at 6am. I want to be there when the polling station opens.

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