News / Local
Empty coffers cripple Zapu's by-election bid
10 Nov 2023 at 01:32hrs | Views
Financial constraints have led to the opposition Zapu party's inability to field candidates for all the December 9 by-elections, as reported by Southern Eye.
Zimbabwe is set to conduct by-elections next month following the recall of 15 legislators and 17 councillors from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) by self-proclaimed interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu. During the nomination court session on Tuesday, Zapu only managed to nominate one parliamentary candidate in Beitbridge, two council candidates in Matabeleland North, and nine in Bulawayo. Tshabangu and the CCC, led by Nelson Chamisa, filed papers for their candidates under the same party banner.
Zapu, which has only one councillor in Matabeleland South province, cited a lack of funds as the primary reason for not covering all seats and wards. According to Zapu treasurer France Leebof Ndlovu, the party relied on contributions from its members to fund the candidates it could afford. Ndlovu acknowledged the determination to participate in elections but emphasized the financial challenges faced by the party, attributing the limited candidate representation to the short notice for the by-elections.
The report also highlighted the historical context of Zapu's dominance in the Matabeleland region between 1980 and 1985, despite the challenges posed by the Gukurahundi period.
In addition, the Matabeleland-based opposition party Freedom Alliance (FA) managed to file nomination papers for two council candidates in Bulawayo, as confirmed by FA spokesperson Nhlanhla Moses Ncube.
On a different note, the United Zimbabwe Alliance announced its boycott of the by-elections, denouncing them as a product of undemocratic recalls. The party's national spokesperson, Elvis Dzvene, expressed a lack of confidence in the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, citing bias and a lack of meaningful electoral reforms since the disputed August 23 harmonized elections. Dzvene called on other political parties to join the boycott, asserting that participating in the by-elections would not advance the cause of democracy and the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe is set to conduct by-elections next month following the recall of 15 legislators and 17 councillors from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) by self-proclaimed interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu. During the nomination court session on Tuesday, Zapu only managed to nominate one parliamentary candidate in Beitbridge, two council candidates in Matabeleland North, and nine in Bulawayo. Tshabangu and the CCC, led by Nelson Chamisa, filed papers for their candidates under the same party banner.
Zapu, which has only one councillor in Matabeleland South province, cited a lack of funds as the primary reason for not covering all seats and wards. According to Zapu treasurer France Leebof Ndlovu, the party relied on contributions from its members to fund the candidates it could afford. Ndlovu acknowledged the determination to participate in elections but emphasized the financial challenges faced by the party, attributing the limited candidate representation to the short notice for the by-elections.
The report also highlighted the historical context of Zapu's dominance in the Matabeleland region between 1980 and 1985, despite the challenges posed by the Gukurahundi period.
In addition, the Matabeleland-based opposition party Freedom Alliance (FA) managed to file nomination papers for two council candidates in Bulawayo, as confirmed by FA spokesperson Nhlanhla Moses Ncube.
On a different note, the United Zimbabwe Alliance announced its boycott of the by-elections, denouncing them as a product of undemocratic recalls. The party's national spokesperson, Elvis Dzvene, expressed a lack of confidence in the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, citing bias and a lack of meaningful electoral reforms since the disputed August 23 harmonized elections. Dzvene called on other political parties to join the boycott, asserting that participating in the by-elections would not advance the cause of democracy and the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe.
Source - Southern Eye
