News / Local
Sibanda wins Zanu-PF primary poll for Nkulumane
06 Nov 2015 at 00:46hrs | Views
Zanu-PF Central Committee member Killian Sibanda will represent the party in the December 19 Nkulumane constituency by-election after winning the party's primary poll.
Sibanda narrowly beat Alderman David Ndlovu by four votes in the primary election that was held in Bulawayo on Wednesday.
The Nomination Court for the Nkulumane by-election, which was triggered by the death of MDC-T legislator Thamsanqa Mahlangu last month, is expected to sit today.
Zanu-PF Bulawayo interim chairman Dennis Ndlovu said the province was happy with the way the primary poll was conducted.
"It was a closely contested election. It was a party thing and there were no major incidents. Sibanda garnered 297 votes while Ald Ndlovu attained 293 votes," said Ndlovu.
Sibanda yesterday said he was ready to represent Nkulumane constituency in parliament.
He said although he won the primary election, there was another battle that lies ahead - the December 19 by election.
"I'm happy that party members had confidence in me. But I'm not really celebrating winning against a fellow comrade. It was unfortunate that not all party members could vote in yesterday's primaries with many turned away as their names were not on the voters' roll," he said.
Sibanda said going forward, Bulawayo residents need to work together.
Ald Ndlovu was not immediately reachable for comment.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have maintained that they will boycott the by-election and all other polls until electoral reforms are in place.
The MDC-T said yesterday it would not field any candidate in the by-election.
Bulawayo provincial chairman Gift Banda reiterated the party's position of not taking part in any by-elections, saying they wanted electoral reforms first.
"Our position has not changed. We're going to abide by the resolution we made during congress that without electoral reforms we will not participate in any elections," said Cllr Banda.
Professor Welshman Ncube's led MDC national spokesperson, Kurauone Chihwayi, said unless electoral reforms are implemented, his party would not participate in the country's elections.
Chihwayi said the party made a resolution about elections in 2013 and they are sticking to it.
"As the MDC we will not field a candidate in the Nkulumane by-election. We're actually sticking to our resolution that was made in 2013 that the government should implement the required electoral reforms in full. We will only partake in elections if the government creates an environment that is conducive for a free and fair election," Chihwayi said.
He said they were actually preparing for the 2018 polls provided that electoral reforms will be implemented.
People Democratic Party (PDP) deputy president Samuel Sipepa Nkomo said his party would not field any candidate in the by-election saying the prevailing environment does not create a platform for a free and fair election.
The Nkulumane by-election is set for December 19 and the Nomination Court sits today to verify the contesting candidates.
Sibanda narrowly beat Alderman David Ndlovu by four votes in the primary election that was held in Bulawayo on Wednesday.
The Nomination Court for the Nkulumane by-election, which was triggered by the death of MDC-T legislator Thamsanqa Mahlangu last month, is expected to sit today.
Zanu-PF Bulawayo interim chairman Dennis Ndlovu said the province was happy with the way the primary poll was conducted.
"It was a closely contested election. It was a party thing and there were no major incidents. Sibanda garnered 297 votes while Ald Ndlovu attained 293 votes," said Ndlovu.
Sibanda yesterday said he was ready to represent Nkulumane constituency in parliament.
He said although he won the primary election, there was another battle that lies ahead - the December 19 by election.
"I'm happy that party members had confidence in me. But I'm not really celebrating winning against a fellow comrade. It was unfortunate that not all party members could vote in yesterday's primaries with many turned away as their names were not on the voters' roll," he said.
Sibanda said going forward, Bulawayo residents need to work together.
Ald Ndlovu was not immediately reachable for comment.
Meanwhile, opposition parties have maintained that they will boycott the by-election and all other polls until electoral reforms are in place.
The MDC-T said yesterday it would not field any candidate in the by-election.
Bulawayo provincial chairman Gift Banda reiterated the party's position of not taking part in any by-elections, saying they wanted electoral reforms first.
"Our position has not changed. We're going to abide by the resolution we made during congress that without electoral reforms we will not participate in any elections," said Cllr Banda.
Professor Welshman Ncube's led MDC national spokesperson, Kurauone Chihwayi, said unless electoral reforms are implemented, his party would not participate in the country's elections.
Chihwayi said the party made a resolution about elections in 2013 and they are sticking to it.
"As the MDC we will not field a candidate in the Nkulumane by-election. We're actually sticking to our resolution that was made in 2013 that the government should implement the required electoral reforms in full. We will only partake in elections if the government creates an environment that is conducive for a free and fair election," Chihwayi said.
He said they were actually preparing for the 2018 polls provided that electoral reforms will be implemented.
People Democratic Party (PDP) deputy president Samuel Sipepa Nkomo said his party would not field any candidate in the by-election saying the prevailing environment does not create a platform for a free and fair election.
The Nkulumane by-election is set for December 19 and the Nomination Court sits today to verify the contesting candidates.
Source - chronicle
