Nomination Courts sit Friday

The nomination of candidates for the harmonised elections takes place at Magistrates Court throughout the country this Friday.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Rita Makarau said the courts will open at 10 in the morning and close at 4pm.

The courts will take nomination papers for those aspiring to contest the presidential, senatorial, national house of assembly and both rural and urban councils seats countrywide.

Justice Makarau clarified that for those seeking nomination for local authorities, all rural district council boardrooms will have nomination courts sitting.

She explained that all presidential candidates should produce proof that they are Zimbabwean citizens and be above the age of 40 and should be nominated by 10 eligible voters from every province among other requirements.

Independent candidates are also expected to submit their papers this Friday while those who are running for the senate and for the women's quota will be submitted by the political parties they represent.

ZEC says the elections administration body will not entertain late comers saying those who come after 1600hours will have to wait for the next elections in five years' time.

So far a total of 28 political parties are said to be interested in contesting the harmonised elections which the Constitutional Court has ruled should take place before the end of next month.

An African Union pre-observer mission, the SADC Parliamentary Forum and the Catholic Bishops Conference from the region are already in the country as the country gets into elections gear.