Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka [email protected]
VOTING in Bulawayo’s Ward 1 got off to a smooth start this morning, with residents turning out early to cast their ballots in the by-election to fill the vacant council seat.
Polling stations across the ward opened at 7am and are scheduled to close at 7pm.
Voters began queuing shortly after polling opened, with voting expected to continue throughout the day.
Three candidates are contesting the seat — Cde Mathias Tichaona Tsikira of Zanu-PF, Mr Mduduzi Sibanda of the CCC and independent candidate Mr Shepherd Sithole.
The candidates were successfully nominated on September 2, paving the way for today’s by-election.
The Ward 1 seat became vacant after former councillor Josiah Mutangi was removed from office following an independent tribunal’s finding of misconduct.
The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works subsequently declared the seat vacant, triggering the by-election.
Voting will continue throughout the day, with polling stations closing at the prescribed time of 7pm.
Temba Dube