News / National
Shiri, Mashavakure to represent persons living with disabilities
03 Aug 2013 at 03:41hrs | Views
ORGANISATIONS representing people living with disabilities yesterday elected Mr Nyamayabo Mashavakure and Ms Annah Shiri to represent them in Senate in line with the new Constitution.
All the 22 contestants were nominated by representatives of various organisations representing people living with disabilities.
Mr Mashavakure, from National Association for the Care of the Handicapped who was voted to represent males, beat 14 other candidates nominated to contest in the election while Ms Shiri was contesting against six other nominees.
Mr Mashavakure won with 20 votes against his strongest competitor Mr Obediah Moyo who garnered 16 votes.
Ms Shiri is from the National Council of the Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe and will be representing female people with disabilities.
She won in a tight competition which saw her winning with 19 votes against 16 votes polled by Roseweter Mudarikwa who had a tie with Lilian Gwanyanya.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission presided over the election which saw 92 members of the electoral college participating in the voting process.
The electoral college is made up of representatives of various groups of disabled persons ranging from those who are physically challenged, visually impaired and those living with albinism, among others.
Presiding officer Mr Shupikai Mashereni said the election was held under provisions of the Electoral Act chapter 2:13.
"We are going to compile a report which we will submit to the commission," Mr Mashereni said.
"Those who have been elected as Senators will then have their names gazetted in the Government Gazette as representatives of people living with disabilities."
The elected members, he said, would be sworn in after the swearing in of the President.
Speaking soon after the announcement of the election results, Mr Mashavakure promised to work together with all people living with disabilities to solve issues that affect them.
Ms Shiri vowed to work for the betterment of people living with disabilities countrywide.
"I will work hard to make sure that the lives of people living with disabilities change for the better," she said.
Members of the electoral college hailed the new Constitution for according them an opportunity to choose a representative of their choice.
Previously, the President would appoint a representative for people living with disabilities.
All the 22 contestants were nominated by representatives of various organisations representing people living with disabilities.
Mr Mashavakure, from National Association for the Care of the Handicapped who was voted to represent males, beat 14 other candidates nominated to contest in the election while Ms Shiri was contesting against six other nominees.
Mr Mashavakure won with 20 votes against his strongest competitor Mr Obediah Moyo who garnered 16 votes.
Ms Shiri is from the National Council of the Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe and will be representing female people with disabilities.
She won in a tight competition which saw her winning with 19 votes against 16 votes polled by Roseweter Mudarikwa who had a tie with Lilian Gwanyanya.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission presided over the election which saw 92 members of the electoral college participating in the voting process.
The electoral college is made up of representatives of various groups of disabled persons ranging from those who are physically challenged, visually impaired and those living with albinism, among others.
Presiding officer Mr Shupikai Mashereni said the election was held under provisions of the Electoral Act chapter 2:13.
"Those who have been elected as Senators will then have their names gazetted in the Government Gazette as representatives of people living with disabilities."
The elected members, he said, would be sworn in after the swearing in of the President.
Speaking soon after the announcement of the election results, Mr Mashavakure promised to work together with all people living with disabilities to solve issues that affect them.
Ms Shiri vowed to work for the betterment of people living with disabilities countrywide.
"I will work hard to make sure that the lives of people living with disabilities change for the better," she said.
Members of the electoral college hailed the new Constitution for according them an opportunity to choose a representative of their choice.
Previously, the President would appoint a representative for people living with disabilities.
Source - Herald
