国际英语资讯:Former UN chief Annan urges Zimbabweans to vote in forthcoming polls

HARARE, July 20 -- Visiting former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan on Friday urged Zimbabweans to go out and vote in numbers on July 30, saying tweeting and posting on social media was just not enough to bring change in the country.

Addressing a civil-society organized public forum, Annan said Zimbabweans need to actively participate in charting the future course of the country.

"I urge all of you to vote on July 30. Make your voices count. You cannot sit at home and refuse to vote and then complain after the election," Annan said.

Annan is leading a three-member delegation of the Elders that is on a three-day visit to the southern African country to encourage peaceful and credible elections.

He is accompanied by former Ireland President Mary Robinson and former Algerian Foreign Minister Lakhdar Brahimi.

The Elders is a group of eminent leaders working to facilitate world peace and respect for human rights.

Earlier, Annan and his team met President Emmerson Mnangagwa and main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa to get an overview of the political situation in the country ahead of the crunch vote.