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Zanu-PF confident of by-elections upset
06 Nov 2023 at 04:48hrs | Views
The results of the Zanu-PF primary elections held in nine National Assembly constituencies on Saturday are expected to be announced today. The ruling party is confident of winning in Bulawayo, Harare, Matabeleland North, and Matabeleland South provinces in the by-elections scheduled for December 9. These by-elections became necessary following the recall of 14 CCC members of the National Assembly and nine Senators by the opposition party's interim secretary-general, Mr. Sengezo Tshabangu, last month.
Consequently, President Mnangagwa declared December 9 as the by-election date in the nine constituency seats, as required by the Electoral Act after being informed of the vacancies by the Speaker of the National Assembly and Senate president. The remaining vacant seats are proportional representation seats that CCC nominees will occupy, which include women's quota seats in the National Assembly and Senate vacancies.
The expected Zanu-PF candidates for these by-elections include Raj Modi for Bulawayo South, Menziwe Dube for Lobengula-Magwegwe, Dzingai Makamba for Mpopoma-Mzilikazi, Arthur Mujeyi for Cowdray Park, Albert Mavhunga for Nketa, and Scott Sakupwanya for Mabvuku-Tafara.
Zanu-PF aims to expand its influence in urban areas, having already made incremental gains through various policies, including urban renewal, road rehabilitation, and addressing water challenges. The party has also issued title deeds to residents and tackled service delivery issues in areas where opposition councillors had neglected their duties.
Zanu-PF Political Commissar Mike Bimha expressed confidence in their chances in the by-elections, citing divisions within the CCC and the urban population's dissatisfaction with past MDC-CCC governance.
The nomination courts will convene to receive nomination papers from prospective candidates on Tuesday. The High Court recently dismissed an application by 23 former CCC MPs seeking to overturn their recalls from Parliament. The government has approved a $5 million budget for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to conduct the by-elections.
The by-elections are a crucial political event in Zimbabwe, and the ruling party is determined to secure more seats in Parliament, solidifying its position.
Consequently, President Mnangagwa declared December 9 as the by-election date in the nine constituency seats, as required by the Electoral Act after being informed of the vacancies by the Speaker of the National Assembly and Senate president. The remaining vacant seats are proportional representation seats that CCC nominees will occupy, which include women's quota seats in the National Assembly and Senate vacancies.
The expected Zanu-PF candidates for these by-elections include Raj Modi for Bulawayo South, Menziwe Dube for Lobengula-Magwegwe, Dzingai Makamba for Mpopoma-Mzilikazi, Arthur Mujeyi for Cowdray Park, Albert Mavhunga for Nketa, and Scott Sakupwanya for Mabvuku-Tafara.
Zanu-PF aims to expand its influence in urban areas, having already made incremental gains through various policies, including urban renewal, road rehabilitation, and addressing water challenges. The party has also issued title deeds to residents and tackled service delivery issues in areas where opposition councillors had neglected their duties.
Zanu-PF Political Commissar Mike Bimha expressed confidence in their chances in the by-elections, citing divisions within the CCC and the urban population's dissatisfaction with past MDC-CCC governance.
The nomination courts will convene to receive nomination papers from prospective candidates on Tuesday. The High Court recently dismissed an application by 23 former CCC MPs seeking to overturn their recalls from Parliament. The government has approved a $5 million budget for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to conduct the by-elections.
The by-elections are a crucial political event in Zimbabwe, and the ruling party is determined to secure more seats in Parliament, solidifying its position.
Source - The Herald
