News / National
Zanu-PF plans to scuttle Ezra 'Tshisa', Eric Knight run for MP
12 Feb 2013 at 09:37hrs | Views
ZANU-PF strategists are poring over the Electoral Act in a bid to scuttle Ezra Tshisa Sibanda and Eric Knight's political ambitions.
The two former Radio 2 DJs plan to run for MP in general elections set to be held this year.
Zanu-PF strategist Professor Jonathan Moyo, in an informal briefing with journalists, suggested the two UK-based parliamentary aspirants faced major legal hurdles.
Sibanda wants to run on an MDC-T ticket in the Zanu PF-held Midlands constituency of Vungu, while Knight is throwing his hat in Mbare - also for the same party.
The two men must first win tightly-contested primary elections before they get the party ticket.
Moyo said: "It's not a surprise that to qualify for their primaries they must show British residence. But to qualify to contest elections in Zimbabwe, they must demonstrate that they were resident in the country for 12 continuous months preceding the elections.
"It's not only their names which have a common E, their intentions to contest elections in Zimbabwe also have a common problem. They cannot rectify it in time for elections."
Moyo's argument is based on a reading of Section 23 (3) of the Electoral Act dealing with "residence qualifications of voters". It provides for the removal by the constituency registrar of individuals from the voters roll on the disqualification or death of such persons, or their absence from their constituencies for more than 12 months or the redomiciliation of such persons in another country.
MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube, a constitutional lawyer, said: "If they are registered as voters, and as long as they are back in Zimbabwe by the sitting of the nomination court, I can't see anything to stop them from participating in elections."
Alex Magaisa, a former law lecturer who is now Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Chief of Staff, said Moyo's interpretation was "selective and incorrect".
The two former Radio 2 DJs plan to run for MP in general elections set to be held this year.
Zanu-PF strategist Professor Jonathan Moyo, in an informal briefing with journalists, suggested the two UK-based parliamentary aspirants faced major legal hurdles.
Sibanda wants to run on an MDC-T ticket in the Zanu PF-held Midlands constituency of Vungu, while Knight is throwing his hat in Mbare - also for the same party.
The two men must first win tightly-contested primary elections before they get the party ticket.
Moyo said: "It's not a surprise that to qualify for their primaries they must show British residence. But to qualify to contest elections in Zimbabwe, they must demonstrate that they were resident in the country for 12 continuous months preceding the elections.
"It's not only their names which have a common E, their intentions to contest elections in Zimbabwe also have a common problem. They cannot rectify it in time for elections."
Moyo's argument is based on a reading of Section 23 (3) of the Electoral Act dealing with "residence qualifications of voters". It provides for the removal by the constituency registrar of individuals from the voters roll on the disqualification or death of such persons, or their absence from their constituencies for more than 12 months or the redomiciliation of such persons in another country.
MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube, a constitutional lawyer, said: "If they are registered as voters, and as long as they are back in Zimbabwe by the sitting of the nomination court, I can't see anything to stop them from participating in elections."
Alex Magaisa, a former law lecturer who is now Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Chief of Staff, said Moyo's interpretation was "selective and incorrect".
Source - news
