MDC Alliance burns in Mashonaland West
THE disturbances rocking the MDC Alliance ahead of the harmonised elections on July 30 have cascaded to its Mashonaland West provincial structures.
The allocation of constituencies among the seven partners in the factitious alliance has caused dissatisfaction in the province.
In some constituencies, prospective candidates from outside the MDC-T in Mashonaland West have raised concern that they were being elbowed out by their MDC-T counterparts. Aspiring candidates eyeing constituencies such as Magunje, Hurungwe East and West, Zvimba North and South among others, said they were not being given a chance by their colleagues from MDC-T. Other candidates from the MDC-T have also threatened to ditch the alliance.
In an interview yesterday, MDC Alliance Mashonaland West provincial secretary Mr Edward Kadewere confirmed the differences.
“We have seen that most of the people who are raising the issues have no support on the ground at all, while in some cases those from the MDC-T would have covered some ground in terms of campaigning,” he said.
Acting national chairman for the MDC-T faction led by Mr Nelson Chamisa, Mr Morgen Komichi recently told journalists in Harare that the majority of its supporters were calling for the party to go it alone in the harmonised elections.
Primary elections reruns have been called in some constituencies in Mashonaland West following appeals by candidates alleging irregularities and logistical challenges. This comes as the national elections directorate met on Wednesday to consider appeals and come up with a determination.
Reruns were confirmed in Makonde, with a possibility of others in Magunje, Chinhoyi, Hurungwe East and West, Zvimba South and North among others.
Mr Kadewere confirmed the development, saying confirmed reruns will be held at the weekend. “We have concluded primary elections in most cases across the province, but some of them will be held at the weekend in Makonde and Magunje where one of the candidates had gone to attend a funeral on the day,” he said.
Elections were held in Chinhoyi last weekend, where incumbent Dr Peter Matarutse romped to victory after ironically beating Mr Kadewere, who has since lodged an appeal citing some irregularities.
These include the shifting of venues for the polls at the last minute and that the 10 wards in Chinhoyi Urban had not been finalised. “I have lodged my appeal with the national elections directorate on Monday and they will come up with a determination that could see a rerun in Chinhoyi,” he said.
“There was no notice of venue and the notice was given under 24 hours, while the other candidate seems to have been in the know in terms of the venue.”