The Electoral Commission of Zimbabwe has said everything is now ready for the by-elections scheduled for February 3 after the Supreme Court upheld an appeal by the Secretary-General of the Central Electoral Commission, Mr Singiso Chabangu, to bar 23 candidates summoned to the National Assembly and local authorities from participating in the elections. Polls.
The Supreme Electoral Commission began printing ballot papers on Saturday, while officials are currently being trained to administer the elections.
At least 230,000 ballot papers will be printed for the National Assembly elections, and 144,000 ballot papers for local authorities ballots.
ZEC will also establish 552 polling stations.
The Electoral College also revealed that the decrease in the number of candidates on ballots would bring the cost down to the initially budgeted figure of US$6 million.
ZEC Vice President Ambassador Rodney Kyowa yesterday told the Herald that after settling the legal issues that were before the courts, everything is now in place for the by-election to run smoothly.
“We are ready to go now. Everything we have in the by-election roadmap is on track now.
“We were worried about the court challenges and that has been decided so now we are good to go and we have not started printing the ballots because of the court cases but the printing started yesterday.
“We budgeted more or less $6 million, but now that there are fewer people on the ballot, I think the budget will go down as well.
“Yes, our constituency election officers, divisional election officers, election agents and everyone else have undergone an election training program to ensure that everyone is aware of what is expected of them on election day.
“We have 552 polling stations, electoral materials and equipment are ready, and we are printing 230,400 ballot papers for the National Assembly and then 144,000 for local authorities, and this will be done through the Zimbabwe Printing and Mining Company,” he said.
Ambassador Kiwa said the ZEC appeals to registered voters, where the elections will be held, to exercise their constitutional right to vote and abandon apathy.
He said it was important for people to choose their favorite leaders because they were responsible for achieving their aspirations.
“Everything is now in place, as I said before, the only thing that made us anxious was the court decision, but now that has been decided and finalized, so we are ready to move forward.
“We just want to appeal to people to be peaceful and participate in the elections, please exercise your right, it is important and an opportunity to decide your leadership.
“So, we expect people to exercise their constitutional right, and we encourage that, and it’s really part of our voter education.”
Among those banned from contesting the election under the CCC banner are former deputy spokesperson, Gift Austalos Sziba who was a lawmaker for Pelandaba-Tshabalala, former leader of the opposition in Parliament Amos Chibaya who was a member of the Mkoba North Parliament, and Stephen Chagwiza who represented it. South Goromonzi.
Former Harare Mayor Ian Makone who was Ward 18 councilor is also among the 20 councilors removed from the ballot papers.
The 23 successfully submitted their nomination papers last month as candidates for the CPC despite being withdrawn from their positions after they ceased membership in the opposition party.
Mr Chabangu then challenged their nomination in the High Court, which led to Justice Bisirae Kwenda ruling removing the 23 from the ballot papers.
They defiantly filed their nomination papers before the Central Constitutional Court that summoned them in the first place, in defiance of an earlier order by the Supreme Court prohibiting sacked MPs from running for office in by-elections under the banner of the opposition party.
“Three National Assembly candidates in Bilanda, Goromonzi South and Mkoba North were disqualified.
“Then 20 candidates in the local authorities were disqualified, following the court’s decision,” Ambassador Kyowa said.
He added that the accreditation of observers is now also open. Announce
