adminWalter Mswazie, Masvingo Correspondent
SIX candidates submitted papers for the Bikita West by-election slated for January 21, 2017 at the close of the Nomination Court yesterday.
The seat fell vacant after the MP for Bikita West Munyaradzi Kereke was jailed for 14 years for raping his 11-year-old niece in July this year.
Those who submitted their papers at the close of business at 4 PM yesterday were Cde Beauty Chabaya of Zanu-PF, Mr Madock Chivasa (National Constitutional Assembly), Mr Terence Tanyaradzwa Makumbo (Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe), Mr Kudakwashe Gopo (ZimPF), Mr Innocent Muzvimbiri (Independent) and Mr Heya Shoko (Independent).
Zanu-PF’s candidate Cde Chabaya and ZimPF’s Mr Gopo submitted their papers early in the morning while the other three brought their nomination papers towards lunch time.
Former Bikita West legislator Mr Heya Shoko was the last to submit his papers at around 2PM.
The nomination court officer who is also the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission provincial elections officer Mr Zex Zirabada Pudurayi said the nomination process went on without hitches. He was sitting with assessors Mr Maxwell Ncube and Mr Maxwell Mashavave.
Mr Pudurayi said the candidates’ election agents were expected to fill PE205-10 forms before forming a multi-party liaison committee which will have occasional meetings with Zec to get feedback on the political environment up to the day of elections.
The country is also holding a by-election for the vacant Chimanimani West seat today where Cde Nokuthula Matsikenyere is the candidate for Zanu-PF and is battling it out with Mr Peter Gudyanga of Progressive democrats of Zimbabwe (PDZ), Mr Pesanai Musakaruka (NCA) and Edmore Mtetwa (Independent).
The seat fell vacant after the dismissal of Munacho Mutezo from Parliament following his ouster from Zanu-PF for fanning factionalism.
— @walterbmswazie2
Online Reporter