When polling officials opened their stations on December 9, many were met with mobile toilets they didn’t know how to operate. According to MIHR, all 39 tent polling stations with mobile toilets lacked guidance or training, resulting in malfunctioning units, foul smells, and poor hygiene.
In Makokoba, one shared toilet filled up quickly and leaked odor across the tents. In Cowdray Park, another toilet was leaking internally, causing distress and limited usage.
MIHR recommends that ZEC conduct briefings or training for polling staff on toilet usage and maintenance, and engage private contractors for real-time servicing.