By-elections dates for second batch set

Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has set 3 February 2024, as the date for by-elections in six constituencies whose Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MPs were recalled by the party’s interim secretary-general Mr Sengezo Tshabangu.

The nomination court will sit on 18 December for aspiring candidates to file their papers. Mr Tshabangu last month recalled six constituency National Assembly members and seven women’s and youth quota proportional representation MPs. The affected constituencies are Pelandaba (Bulawayo), Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East, and Mkoba North (Gweru).

The President, made the proclamation through a Statutory Instrument, where he noted that the constituency seats became vacant on November 10, 2023, after the recall. “Whereas, in terms of Section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, notes that the seats of members of Parliament for Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North have become vacant by reason of ceasing to be members of CCC of Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos on the 10th of November, 2023, who were the elected members of Parliament for the respective constituencies. It is provided by Section 39(2) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13), that after the President has been notified in terms of the said section of vacancies in the membership of Parliament, he shall issue a proclamation ordering a new election to fill the vacancies in the same manner, mutatis mutandis, as is provided in Section 38 of the said Act in regard to a general election,
The Speaker of Parliament has notified me on the 15th of November 2023, in writing, of vacancies for the aforementioned constituencies,” said the President.

He further proclaimed that the nomination courts will sit on 18 December commencing at 10am.

“Under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as afore-said, I do, by this proclamation, order new elections for the constituencies of Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North; and fix Monday the 18th day of December, 2023, as the date on which the nomination court shall sit, commencing at 10 o’clock in the morning,” he said. In Bulawayo the nomination court, according to the proclamation, will sit at the Magistrate Court, Tredgold Building, for the purpose of receiving nomination of candidates for election as a member of National Assembly Constituency of Pelandaba.

The Magistrates Court in Marondera will see the sitting of the nomination court for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Goromonzi South and Seke.

The Magistrates Court in Chinhoyi, will sit for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Chegutu West and Zvimba East while the Magistrates Court in Gweru, is where the nomination court will sit for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as member of National Assembly Constituency of Mkoba North.

On Saturday the country will be holding by-elections for the first batch of legislators and councillors who were recalled by the opposition party.