This Week In History

‘Only an earthquake can stop elections’

THE July 30 harmonised elections cannot be stopped for whatever reason, with aggrieved candidates only able to challenge the outcome of the polls. This was said by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba while addressing her inaugural weekly media briefing yesterday.

SHE was responding to questions on whether or not parties and candidates can stop the elections based on any anomalies they might pick on the voters’ roll.

“The first thing to take note of is once the President has proclaimed the election date, there is nothing short of an earthquake which can stop the election so whether candidates scrutinise the voters’ roll, whether they see any anomalies in it, whatever the anomalies are, whatever legal recourse they have will not stop the election. I want that to be very clear that is the law,” she said. - The Herald.

Chamisa threatens Alliance partners

MDC Alliance president Mr Nelson Chamisa yesterday ordered Alliance partners who successfully filed their nomination papers without his blessings to withdraw their candidature, further straining relations in the troubled coalition. The development follows a decision by the

MDC Chamisa faction to unilaterally field candidates in constituencies and wards reserved for Alliance partners, leading to double registration.

In some instances, the MDC Chamisa camp refused to sign nomination papers for some Alliance candidates, preferring instead to field their candidates while they reduced the number of candidates for other partners like the MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube.

In an interview yesterday, MDC Chamisa national chairperson Mr Morgan Komichi said they will direct those candidates who filed without their blessings to withdraw, a development that has been described by other Alliance partners as “big-headed mentality”. - The Herald.

Zanu-PF warns rogue members

ZANU-PF has warned rogue party members that registered to contest the forthcoming elections as independents and are abusing President Mnangagwa’s picture and name in their campaign material. The ruling party’s secretary for Administration, Cde Obert Mpofu, yesterday said at a press conference that such elements should stop their actions or risk facing the full wrath of the law.

Some losing candidates in the ZANU-PF primaries have registered as independents, but have incorporated President Mnangagwa’s picture and the #EDhasmyvote as part of their campaigns. - The Herald.