News / National
MDC fails to field candidates for by-elections
03 Jan 2014 at 04:41hrs | Views
Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC has failed to field candidates in three local authority by-elections to be held in Harare, Karoi and Zaka on January 25.
The by-elections are to fill seats left vacant by the deaths last year of three councillors from Harare's Ward 12, Karoi Town Council's Ward 10 and Zaka Rural District Council's Ward 32.
Candidates from Zanu-PF, the newly-formed National Constitutional Assembly party, MDC-T and an independent will battle it out in the three wards.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chief elections officer Mr Lovemore Sekeremayi yesterday said the by-elections were in accordance with the Electoral Act.
"It is hereby notified in terms of Section 125 (4) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) that at the close of sitting of the nomination courts, which sat on Friday 20th December 2013, the candidates listed in the schedule were duly nominated for elections as councillors in their respective wards," he said in a statement.
In Harare, Cde Maureen Nyemba (Zanu-PF) will square off with Mr Takura Gadzira of the Prof Lovemore Madukhu-led NCA, Mr Albert Muponda (MDC-T) and Mr Jack Ethan Muzanemhamo, an independent candidate.
In Karoi, Zanu-PF's Cde Fortune Madamombe will face Mr Chiwaya Solomon Musekiwa (MDC-T) in the by-election where four polling stations will be used.
In all, 14 polling stations have been established and will open from 7am to 7pm on the polling date.
MDC deputy spokesperson Mr Kurauone Chihwayi claimed their party was "financially juicy" and well equipped to contest the polls.
"Failure to field candidates in three by-elections is not confirmation of bankruptcy or death of the MDC. Our candidates failed to file their nomination papers in time due to a number of reasons ranging from late submission of papers," he said.
Mr Chihwayi also said their party had what it took to win and was still relevant despite performing dismally in the July 31, 2013 harmonised elections.
"We are a serious political party, with adequate ammunition to last the battle. We are not close to any cemetery or cremation oven," he said.
Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Cde Didymus Mutasa said the ruling party was geared for the polls.
"We're going to fight and we hope to win like we always do since that is the same reason why we go for elections, and these coming by-elections are going to prove that," said Cde Mutasa.
NCA spokesperson Mr Maddock Chivasa said they were certain they would win in what will be the party's first electoral test.
"We have every reason as a political party and new contender to take part in these elections just like any other political parties and we are going to make sure that we deliver.
"We have the people's interest and it is a sure thing that we are going to win in these elections," he said.
Mr Chivasa said they had structures on the ground mobilising voters and recruiting party members to form branches.
In the last elections, Zanu-PF dominated local government polls countrywide, winning a massive 1 496 â€" or 76 percent â€" of the 1 958 seats on offer, compared to MDC-T's 442.
Source - Herald
