The decision to extend voting in selected wards by a day after the late distribution of ballot papers, which resulted in delayed polling, has not been well received by the opposition in Zimbabwe.

President Emerson Mnangagwa issued a presidential proclamation on Wednesday directing that the affected polling stations operate for an additional 24 hours.

It was a smooth opening at some polling stations on Wednesday, with the majority of those visited by the nbc opening on time.

Our nbc News reporter Luqman Cloete and Camera operator Simon Isak were on the ground to update us on the voting process.

The election was necessitated by the withdrawal of the former regional councillor for the constituency Gerrit Witbooi by his former party LPM.

The Swapo Party Secretary General, Sophia Shaningwa, has urged voters to rally behind the party's candidate, Elias !Kharuxab, in next week's by-election to reclaim the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency.

The seat became vacant following the withdrawal of former Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency Councillor Gertjie Witbooi by his former party, Landless Peoples' Movement, earlier this year.

Addressing party supporters at the mini-campaign rally at Koës, Shaningwa urged them to come out in numbers and vote for the party's candidate for the Keetmanshoop Rural Constituency.