News / Local
Zanu-PF still celebrating Bulawayo by-election victory
14 Jun 2015 at 13:53hrs | Views
Zanu-PF candidates who won in Zimbabwe's 16 constituencies contested in the just-ended parliamentary by-elections say they are still celebrating their victory and are ready to deliver what they promised the electorate.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai, which boycotted the elections, has dismissed the Zanu-PF victory, citing a low voter turn-out, while some independent candidates like Temba Mliswa, who lost the Hurungwe West election, blame Zanu-PF for intimidating voters.
Maideyi Mpala, who is the new Member of Parliament for Lobengula constituency in Bulawayo, told VOA Studio 7 she excited about the win and ready to serve her community.
Some opposition parties and election observers say the parliamentary were marred by lack of transparency and voter intimidation.
Results announced Thursday by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission indicated that President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party won all the seats in rural areas and cities, which had since 1999, been under the control of former Prime Minister Tsvangirai's MDC.
Tsvangirai's party and other MDC formations, citing lack of electoral reforms, boycotted the by-elections meant to fill seats left vacant following the recalling of some MDC Renewal Team lawmakers.
Zanu-PF was pitted against small parties that got few votes in each constituency, leaving some of them crying foul.
President Mugabe's Zanu-PF party has been in power since independence from British rule in 1980.
Interview With Maideyi Mpala on Parliamentary By-Elections
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai, which boycotted the elections, has dismissed the Zanu-PF victory, citing a low voter turn-out, while some independent candidates like Temba Mliswa, who lost the Hurungwe West election, blame Zanu-PF for intimidating voters.
Maideyi Mpala, who is the new Member of Parliament for Lobengula constituency in Bulawayo, told VOA Studio 7 she excited about the win and ready to serve her community.
Some opposition parties and election observers say the parliamentary were marred by lack of transparency and voter intimidation.
Results announced Thursday by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission indicated that President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party won all the seats in rural areas and cities, which had since 1999, been under the control of former Prime Minister Tsvangirai's MDC.
Zanu-PF was pitted against small parties that got few votes in each constituency, leaving some of them crying foul.
President Mugabe's Zanu-PF party has been in power since independence from British rule in 1980.
Interview With Maideyi Mpala on Parliamentary By-Elections
Source - voa
