All systems are in place for today’s by-election as the Supreme Court decided the fate of 23 CCC candidates whose names were deleted from ballot papers because they were no longer members of the embattled political outfit.
Yesterday, CCC Interim Secretary-General Sengizo Tshabangu succeeded in obtaining permission from the High Court to implement the court ruling, issued two weeks ago, barring the 23 people from contesting the elections.
Judge Besiray Kwenda, who presided over the case two weeks ago, yesterday ruled in Tshabangu’s favor again, finding in his latest application that the elections should be held without the 23 people participating in the elections despite their appeal being heard in the Supreme Court.
“After reading the documents placed on record, an order was made admitting the application and it is hereby granted,” Justice Kwenda said.
“The applicants are hereby granted leave to implement the judgment of this Court in Case No. HCH 197/24 which is awaiting appeal in Case No. SC44/24.”
At least six constituencies will hold by-elections, including Seki, Goromonzi South and Pelandaba; Chigoto West; Zvimba East and Mkoba.
The Electoral Commission of Zimbabwe is now 100% ready to conduct a smooth by-election today, with ballot papers having already been distributed.
About 230,400 ballot papers were printed for the six electoral districts, which includes the 6.7 percent contingency as required by law in the event that some papers are destroyed.
For the local authority by-elections, the Central Electoral Commission printed 136,850 ballot papers, including 379 emergency papers that had already been printed.
All 552 polling stations will be ready for use today. Command centers have been identified and equipped.
The Vice Chairman of the Electoral Commission, Ambassador Rodney Kyowa, confirmed the development, saying they were also prepared to fulfill their obligations as required by law.
Ambassador Kiwa said the ZEC appeals to political parties as well as voters to remain peaceful and advocate for peace before, during and after the elections.
He stressed: “Let it be so during today’s vote, and let peace continue after that.”
He said that denying peace would undermine the entire purpose of holding elections and democracy in general.
“The bottom line is that we appeal to all political parties involved, individuals and voters to remain peaceful. I think that is the most important thing because we can put all the other things in place in terms of the articles but if we do not act peacefully it negates everything that we are trying to achieve and achieve.”
“So this is our biggest call, which is to follow the peaceful path during these by-elections,” he said.
ZEC also encouraged observers to be accredited so they can inspect ballot boxes.
Zanu PF political commissar Mike Bimha said the party was ready to contest the by-election
He added: “We are ready for the by-elections scheduled for today. As usual, we are always ready for any elections. As you can see, the role of the sympathetic administration is actually to rally our supporters and prepare for the elections. We have a whole section of our department just to look at all year long.”
He added: “Most of our candidates have prepared for the by-election. We have done our homework so we are getting ready to go. In that regard, I am very confident that we are good to go.”
Cde Bimha expressed confidence that the party would fish from the opposition pond, saying they had mastered the art of winning elections.
“We conducted our poll to find out where we went wrong in the coordinated elections in August, and what exactly we need to do to win back these seats. “We have studied the constituencies well to see what are some of the weaknesses and strengths of our strategies against the enemy and also to look at our candidates what their strengths are and what Their weaknesses We have done our homework well and will avoid the same problems we had last time
Among those banned from contesting the election under the CCC banner are 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 Mkoba North Parliament, and Stephen Chagwiza who represented Goromonzi. south.
Former Harare Mayor Ian Makone who was Ward 18 councilor is also among the 20 councilors removed from the ballot papers.
The 23 had defiantly filed their nomination papers under the CCC that had summoned them in the first place, in defiance of an earlier order by the Supreme Court prohibiting the sacked MPs from running for office in by-elections under the banner of the opposition party.
Two weeks ago, Justice Kwenda issued the order on the grounds that the 23 candidates were no longer eligible to represent the opposition party when they were summoned by the party’s Secretary-General.
The judge urged the PCC to put their house in order while also chiding them for wanting to “take factions” to the Supreme Court.
He said that internal disputes in the Central Criminal Court have nothing to do with the Supreme Court.
“In the documents in front of me, I see factions. Some people are not happy about the summons. I think this problem must be solved internally.
There are issues that the party must solve that should not concern me. These differences must be resolved.
“It is unfortunate that while making submissions, counsel for the defendants sought to move those factions in the Supreme Court to say that I should depart from the judgment given by my colleague Justice Katyo,” he said.
In reaching his decision, the judge was guided by the precedent set during previous statements by the Supreme Court.
“The court adheres to its previous decisions. The law requires the Supreme Court to follow its previous ruling. However, this court may not deviate from its previous ruling.” Announce
