This is after Lead President Linda Masarira and Elisabeth Valerio of (UZA) failed to file
their nomination court papers as they intended to pay the nomination fees in local
currency. Among 210 House of Assembly seats only Zanu PF and CCC successfully fielded
candidates in all constituencies. ZEC refused to field 87 candidates from MDC Alliance
who failed to pay their nomination fees and the matter was filed with the electoral court.
There were candidates in the parliamentary race and 41 double CCC candidates. Zanu PF
recorded three independent candidates, George Vhengere (Gutu East), Mutonho Mutonho
(Gutu West) and Tafadzwa Dhererai Shumba from Mwenezi West while Themba Mliswa
registered for Norton as an independent candidate. CCC spokesperson Advocate Fadzayi
Mahere set the record straight that signatures were forged citing that the party had filed
criminal charges, petitioning the Electoral Court to removethe names of the accused
from the candidate list for the August 23 elections. The CCC said ahead of the sitting of
the Nomination Court , it sent specimens of signatures of approved party signatories
allowed to sign for candidates representing the party. The party said it was unsure how
ZEC accepted the nomination papers of the 41 candidates, and concluded that if they
indeed submitted matching signatures, these could only have been forged. ZPP also
recorded an incident of violence outside the Chinhoyi nomination court in Mashonaland
West. Zanu PF legislator for Chegutu West, Dexter Nduna was assaulted by rival
supporters of Farai Chigavazira, who defeated Nduna in the primary elections. Nduna
claimed that he was there for a legal case, however Chigavazira’s supporters thought he
was there to file nomination papers and they attacked him. Nduna alleged he suffered a
broken arm and leg in the altercation. He said a police report had been filed and the
perpetrators could face arrest.
Recommendations
Civil society organisations (CSOs) and international observers are urged to keep an eye on
the election procedures and report any incidents that violate the constitution and hinder
vulnerable groups from participating fairly.
TOWARDS A ZIMBABWE WHERE THERE IS PEACE, JUSTICE,
DIGNITY AND DEVELOPMENT FOR ALL
#RRRV campaign
ZPP is running the #RRRV 2023 campaign that encourages citizens to resist, reject and
report violence in 2023. ZPP strives to support a peaceful electoral process where voters
can resist and reject political orders inciting violence in the upcoming 2023 harmonised
elections. ZPP developed a mobile application – SPECC, to report Social, Political,
Economic, Civil, and Cultural violations. The application provides citizens with a platform
to report violations with an option to do so anonymously. The App is available on Google
Play and Apple stores, and WhatsApp Chabot called Batsi or Mncedisi. The verified
reports are documented in the Monthly Monitoring Report, and the victims are assisted
with accessing service providers for legal or medical support. All this is intended to create
an active citizenry that resists, rejects and reports violence.
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