accept candidates for the rural district council by-elections scheduled for February 17.
MDC failed to field candidates in Mazowe Ward 24, Muzarabani wards 1,10, 11, 18 and 21. Headmen in Hurungwe ward 6, Zvimba ward 16, Marondera ward 7, Nyaminyami ward 6, Runde (Zvishavane) ward 3 and Mwenezi ward 16, all complicity refused to provide letters confirming the bonafides of the residence of the MDC candidates.
A spokesman of the main wing of the opposition MDC, Nelson Chamisa, told The Zimbabwean that his party however managed to field candidates in Rusape Town Council ward 5, Umguza Rural district council ward 1, Bulilima ward 5, Redcliff municipality ward 5 and Mberengwa ward 19.
“The regime used the provisions of the Electoral Act in denying our candidates the right to file their nomination papers, presumably because they could not obtain letters from headmen, who have recently enmeshed themselves with this rogue regime in denying the people of this country to choose leaders of their choice,” said Chamisa.
Chamisa said the papers for MDC candidate for the Chiredzi South by-election were duly accepted at the close of nomination. MDC’s Immaculate Makondo, who lost the 2005 March legislative poll, will contest the forthcoming election with Nehemiah Zanamwe (Mutambara-led MDC), Mayethani Chauke of the United People’s Party and retired Major General Callisto Gwanetsa of the governing Zanu (PF) party.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission spokesperson Utloile Silaigwana announced the setting up of the multi-party liaison committee composed of all contesting parties to deal with cases such as violence and electoral irregularities.
He said translucent ballot boxes would be used. Polling would be in one day and the results would be displayed at the polling station soon after counting and verification and are expected to be announced at the command centers on the same day.
Silaigwana said presiding officers would be deployed to the various areas three days before polling and voter education was already underway.
25.1.2007
0:00
Chiefs obstruct MDC candidates
BY GIFT PHIRI
HARARE - Chiefs and village headmen in 15 rural district councils have disenfranchised opposition candidates by refusing to give them letters confirming their residence in the wards, giving Zanu (PF) an unassailable lead at the end of the Nomination Court that sat last week to
HARARE - Chiefs and village headmen in 15 rural district councils have disenfranchised opposition candidates by refusing to give them letters confirming their residence in the wards, giving Zanu (PF) an unassailable lead at the end of the Nomination Court that sat last week to