All logistical arrangements have been made for today’s by-elections in Harare East and Mount Pleasant constituencies in Harare, with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission calling on registered voters to exercise their right to choose a representative of their choice.
The by-election is being held to fill vacancies created after the resignation of former CCC legislators, Ms Fadzai Mahiri in Mount Pleasant and Mr Alan Markham in Harare East, from the National Assembly.
In Harare East, ZANU-PF leader Kevin Mutembanyuka will contest against independent candidate Rubavadzo Cynthia Chiesa, while in Mount Pleasant ZANU-PF leader George Mashavafi will contest against independent candidate Brian Tiki.
ZEC Chief Electoral Officer Mr Utloile Silaigwana said at a press conference yesterday that ZEC is ready to facilitate the voting of those registered in the two constituencies.
“So far, seven multi-party liaison committee meetings have been held. As you know, these are mechanisms for candidates and competing parties to use as a platform to resolve their differences if any, but I can quickly say that no major issues have been addressed in those meetings and we hope that there will be no major issues,” he said. “There will be big issues as we move forward.”
“For us, so far, the political environment is very peaceful and encouraging for voters to go and participate in these elections, and we urge them to do so.
He added: “Our preparations also relate to electoral materials as well as human resources, and I can confirm that the material and human resources are now in place and ready for the elections tomorrow.”
The Independent Electoral Commission also displayed voter lists as it normally does, to enable voters to verify their names and the polling station where they were registered to avoid rejection. “As I speak, officials are on the ground and training in preparation for tomorrow (today),” Silagwana said.
For Harare East, which has 36,558 registered voters, ZEC printed 38,850 ballot papers while 42,300 ballot papers were printed in Mount Pleasant, which has 39,582 registered voters.
The ballot papers were printed by the Zimbabwe Printing and Mint Company. As of Thursday, two local journalists and 98 local observers had been accredited, while district election officers, their deputies and heads of polling stations had already been deployed. The election budget is US$300,000 and the money has already been disbursed, a development that prompted Mr. Siligwana to thank the government for its support. Announce
