Main candidates under investigation for voting violation

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) yesterday said it reported the presidential candidates of the two main political parties in the southern African country for suspected violation of the Electoral Act.

ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said the commission had noted with concern continued violations of the Act by candidates contesting the 2018 elections.

“On July 29, at least two candidates gave statements which were published in the media and might be interpreted as campaigning ... the matters have been referred to the police for investigation for possible violation of the law,” she said.

Chigumba said the ZEC could only take action after full investigations.

The reported candidates are Zanu-PF’s Emmerson Mnangagwa and the MDC Alliance’s Nelson Chamisa.

Stung by rejection by his predecessor former President Mugabe, who told journalists on Sunday that he was not going to vote for Mnangagwa, but rather for opposition leader Chamisa, Mnangagwa released a video imploring Zimbabweans to reject the comeback of Mugabe.

Said Mnangagwa in the video: “Now that it is clear to all that Chamisa has forged a deal with Mugabe, we can no longer believe that his intentions are to transform Zimbabwe and rebuild our nation. The choice is clear you either vote for Mugabe under the guise of Chamisa or vote for a new Zimbabwe under my leadership and Zanu-PF. Real change is coming.”

The MDC Alliance presidential candidate also held a press conference on the eve of the elections. Chamisa and his legal advisor Advocate Thabani Mpofu briefed the media, announcing their vigilance on election day.

Clause 7 (1)(b) of the code of conduct for political parties and candidates and other stakeholders prohibits political players and parties from undertaking any campaigns from 24 hours before the opening of polling stations.