Mass disqualifications feared

WITH only a day left before the sitting of the nomination Court on Thursday, political parties are worried that their aspiring candidates might be disqualified because of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)'s reluctance to avail the voters roll to the stakeholders.

The parties argue that the electoral body should give them the register so that candidates can verify the voting status of their nominators.

According to the electoral requirements, each aspiring candidate should have at least five nominators supporting their submission and these should be registered voters.

"We are worried that ZEC's delay in availing the voters roll might lead to some of our candidates being disqualified at the nomination court. How can we verify that our nominators are registered voters when ZEC is insisting that it will only avail the roll after the sitting of the nomination court? To us, this does not make any sense at all," said Zapu spokesperson, Ipithule Maphosa, in an interview.

Maphosa said the practice to avail the voters roll after the sitting of the nomination court is against the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections.

Tabitha Khumalo, the spokesperson of the Nelson Chamisa led MDC- T, also chipped in saying ZEC's decision not to avail the voters roll before the sitting of the nomination court will likely cost some aspiring candidates.

ZEC's Bulawayo District elections officer, Sithembiso Khupe said the voters roll will only be submitted to successful candidates after the nomination court.