News / National
WATCH: Mwonzora says Chamisa, Khupe symbols are 'sufficiently' different
14 Jun 2018 at 09:31hrs | Views
The Nelson Chamisa-led MDC has a written a letter to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) chairperson Priscillah Chigumba, seeking to bar the Thokozani Khupe-led camp from using the party's symbols at today's Nomination Court.
The party's chief election agent, Jameson Timba told Chigumba that in terms of the law, no candidate is allowed to have his or her nomination papers accepted if the party symbol closely resembles that of another party.
However, the MDC-T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora has told journalist that the symbols are "sufficiently" different.
Chamisa and Khupe are currently locked up in a legal battle over the use of the party's symbols following the death of the founding MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in February this year. Following the break-up, Khupe indicated to Zec that she will be fielding parliamentary and council candidates under the MDC ticket, at a time when the Chamisa-led camp announced that it had terminated her membership with the party.
Although Chamisa was elected to lead the opposition movement by the party's national council, Khupe and her allies have pooh-poohed the whole process as they also laid claim to the throne left vacant following Tsvangirai's death from colon cancer.
Because of the situation there are high chances of confusing the electorate, if the two continue to use the same name and symbols, as the court has not yet deliberated on the issue.
The case is before the High Court after an order was given by the Supreme Court late last month that the dispute be heard on an urgent basis, following a previous court order that had given Khupe leeway to continue using the party's symbols.
The High Court is also expected to determine whether or not there are two MDC parties and if not, whether Khupe and her colleagues are entitled to use the party's name, symbol, logo and trademarks.
The party's chief election agent, Jameson Timba told Chigumba that in terms of the law, no candidate is allowed to have his or her nomination papers accepted if the party symbol closely resembles that of another party.
However, the MDC-T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora has told journalist that the symbols are "sufficiently" different.
Chamisa and Khupe are currently locked up in a legal battle over the use of the party's symbols following the death of the founding MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai in February this year. Following the break-up, Khupe indicated to Zec that she will be fielding parliamentary and council candidates under the MDC ticket, at a time when the Chamisa-led camp announced that it had terminated her membership with the party.
Although Chamisa was elected to lead the opposition movement by the party's national council, Khupe and her allies have pooh-poohed the whole process as they also laid claim to the throne left vacant following Tsvangirai's death from colon cancer.
Because of the situation there are high chances of confusing the electorate, if the two continue to use the same name and symbols, as the court has not yet deliberated on the issue.
The case is before the High Court after an order was given by the Supreme Court late last month that the dispute be heard on an urgent basis, following a previous court order that had given Khupe leeway to continue using the party's symbols.
The High Court is also expected to determine whether or not there are two MDC parties and if not, whether Khupe and her colleagues are entitled to use the party's name, symbol, logo and trademarks.
@DMwonzora says the symbols are "sufficiently" different, so whats the fuss all about!!! @nelsonchamisa must instruct his party to speak with one voice!!! pic.twitter.com/W1sfktXz4w
— Melody Chakatsva (@melodychakatsva) June 14, 2018
Source - social media
