ZEC to hold three by-elections

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is going to hold by-elections in three local authority wards on September 11 after equal votes were declared in the July 31 harmonised elections.

In a statement, ZEC chief elections officer Mr Lovemore Sekeramayi said the elections were in respect of Kadoma municipality ward 4, Kusile Rural District Council ward 5 and Mutasa Rural District Council ward 30.

"It is hereby notified that in terms of section 129 of the Electoral Act (Chapter2:13) that an equality of votes was declared in respect of local authority elections for Kadoma Municipality ward 4 and Mutasa Rural District Council ward 30 on the 31 July," he said

"Accordingly, run off by-elections will be held in respect of each of the local authorities stated above on the 11th of September to determine the elected candidate."

In Kadoma Municipality ward 4, Cde Godfrey Mamvura of Zanu-PF and Mr Fastmore Mandipota of MDC-T polled 545 votes apiece while in Kusile District Council Zanu-PF candidate Cde Soneni Tshuma and MDC-T's Ubunene Ncube garnered 419 votes each.

Cde William Ketero of Zanu-PF and Mr Elias Kembo of MDC-T were both declared winners after getting 692 votes respectively.
The new Constitution stipulates that where there is an equality of votes a by-election should be held; previously the candidates would have drawn lots or tossed a coin to break the tie.