News / National
Zanu PF plots razzmatazz campaign
06 Apr 2018 at 05:35hrs | Views
ZANU PF has come up with a new grassroots-based campaign strategy in a bid to corner voters and win July's crucial elections at a time the party is worried about the main opposition MDC Alliance resurgence, the Zimbabwe Independent reported.
Inside sources say the party will roll out an ambitious campaign, which will see the installation of 610 billboards countrywide, revamping of its communication department at the party headquarters in Harare, as well as the distribution of eight million T-shirts, scarfs, zambias and caps, among other party regalia.
Party insiders revealed Zanu PF had come up with three mobilisation and campaign structures targeting the rural electorate. The party has a "polling station-based mobilisation campaign team", which will include all cell chairpersons of a particular polling station, branch chairperson, branch political commissar, a member of the women's league, youth league and a war veteran.
Zanu PF has also appointed a "ward-based mobilisation campaign team", consisting district chairperson, district political commissar, a member of the women's league, youth league, a war veteran and a councillor. The ward mobilisation campaign team will report to the "constituency campaign coordination team", made up of the mobilisation and campaign coordinator (a senior provincial member in the constituency), all party wings representatives (one from each), member of parliament, constituency ward councillors, war veterans and members of affiliate and stakeholder organisations.
Zanu PF sources said the three teams will be on the ground soon after the party primary elections scheduled for May 5.
"This is one of the best campaign strategies, which will be implemented for the first time and promises to rally support for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is aiming to surpass former President Robert Mugabe's 2013 victory which was at 62%."
However, the resurgence of the opposition could pose a serious challenge to Mnangagwa's electoral plan.
Zanu PF insiders said the first batch of the party regalia is expected in the country from China - where Mnangagwa was this week - while billboards will be installed this month.
"The first batch of the parry regalia is expected this week from China," said the source adding: "This has delayed Mnangagwa's campaign launch ahead of the crucial elections."
"Eight million T-shirts, caps, zambias and scarfs are expected to be dished out when the president launches the Zanu PF election campaign."
Sources also said about 610 billboards will be installed countrywide, bearing election messages billboard will installed in each constituency, with the president's face and a clear campaign message in various languages," the source said.
Zanu PF is also in the process of revamping its communication department at the party headquarters, in a move aimed at increasing the party's social media visibility and visibility.
Nick Mangwana said, "There are some who have begun to ask whether Zanu PF has a coherent Media Strategy. Take a chill pill, you ain't seen nothing yet. We are coming to occupy every inch of public space out there. We will reach everybody, win every argument and convert that reach into votes."
"The party has set aside a substantial amount to revamp its communication department so that it meets modern demands," said the source adding: "The new department will be equipped with state-of-the-art computer systems as the party seeks to improve its social media visibility."
"There is no doubt that the battle will be won on the social media front as all parties will aim to tap into the social media audience. Gone are the days of dishing out fliers. We are going digital and a lot of the campaign material will be distributed via the social media."
Sources also said the party has recruited tech-savvy youths who will be creating digital content in order entice young voters.
Inside sources say the party will roll out an ambitious campaign, which will see the installation of 610 billboards countrywide, revamping of its communication department at the party headquarters in Harare, as well as the distribution of eight million T-shirts, scarfs, zambias and caps, among other party regalia.
Party insiders revealed Zanu PF had come up with three mobilisation and campaign structures targeting the rural electorate. The party has a "polling station-based mobilisation campaign team", which will include all cell chairpersons of a particular polling station, branch chairperson, branch political commissar, a member of the women's league, youth league and a war veteran.
Zanu PF has also appointed a "ward-based mobilisation campaign team", consisting district chairperson, district political commissar, a member of the women's league, youth league, a war veteran and a councillor. The ward mobilisation campaign team will report to the "constituency campaign coordination team", made up of the mobilisation and campaign coordinator (a senior provincial member in the constituency), all party wings representatives (one from each), member of parliament, constituency ward councillors, war veterans and members of affiliate and stakeholder organisations.
Zanu PF sources said the three teams will be on the ground soon after the party primary elections scheduled for May 5.
"This is one of the best campaign strategies, which will be implemented for the first time and promises to rally support for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is aiming to surpass former President Robert Mugabe's 2013 victory which was at 62%."
However, the resurgence of the opposition could pose a serious challenge to Mnangagwa's electoral plan.
Zanu PF insiders said the first batch of the party regalia is expected in the country from China - where Mnangagwa was this week - while billboards will be installed this month.
"Eight million T-shirts, caps, zambias and scarfs are expected to be dished out when the president launches the Zanu PF election campaign."
Sources also said about 610 billboards will be installed countrywide, bearing election messages billboard will installed in each constituency, with the president's face and a clear campaign message in various languages," the source said.
Zanu PF is also in the process of revamping its communication department at the party headquarters, in a move aimed at increasing the party's social media visibility and visibility.
Nick Mangwana said, "There are some who have begun to ask whether Zanu PF has a coherent Media Strategy. Take a chill pill, you ain't seen nothing yet. We are coming to occupy every inch of public space out there. We will reach everybody, win every argument and convert that reach into votes."
There are some who have begun to ask whether Zanu PF has a coherent Media Strategy. Take a chill pill, you ain't seen nothing yet. We are coming to occupy every inch of public space out there. We will reach everybody, win every argument and convert that reach into votes. pic.twitter.com/gwbfx60izT
— Nick mangwana (@nickmangwana) April 4, 2018
"The party has set aside a substantial amount to revamp its communication department so that it meets modern demands," said the source adding: "The new department will be equipped with state-of-the-art computer systems as the party seeks to improve its social media visibility."
"There is no doubt that the battle will be won on the social media front as all parties will aim to tap into the social media audience. Gone are the days of dishing out fliers. We are going digital and a lot of the campaign material will be distributed via the social media."
Sources also said the party has recruited tech-savvy youths who will be creating digital content in order entice young voters.
Source - the independent
