MRP ditches primary elections, opts for recommendations
THE mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) has decided against holding primary elections to select candidates for the 2023 elections opting for members to recommend suitable candidates.
The country is set to hold its 2023 elections between July and August and is currently waiting for President emmerson mnangagwa to proclaim the poll date.
in an interview with CITE, MRP leader mqondisi moyo said party structures were responsible for identifying and recommending individuals to represent the party in local authorities and Parliament.
“While my party does not underrate primary elections, we are currently not in a position to conduct these the same way other parties like Zanu PF are doing,” moyo said.
“However, this doesn’t mean that leadership imposes candidates on the people.
“Candidates are selected by means of recommendation by the concerned structures.
“The people in the structures identify and recommend individuals for candidature, be it in local government or Parliament.”
Zanu PF recently held primary elections to select its candidates for the upcoming elections. The Citizens Coalition for Change is yet to finalise its candidate selection process.
The opposition party did not hold primary elections.
moyo said the role of leadership is simply to endorse the recommended candidate.
moyo said so far, the party has not experienced any cases of double candidates in one ward.
“We are fortunate in that there have not been cases where disputes arise due to multiplicity of candidates for a single constituency or ward,” moyo said.
“i strongly believe that this is because of the spirit of revolution by which our people are engulfed.
“mthwakazi people are more concerned with defending their territory than office occupation.
“This is why harmony and unity of purpose is prevailing. So, this is our own version of primary elections.”
The opposition party boycotted the by-elections, choosing to canvass for support ahead of the 2023 polls.
President mnangagwa said he will proclaim election dates before the end of this month.