adminZvamaida Murwira, Harare Bureau
PRESIDENT Mugabe has proclaimed July 15 this year as the day on which the Chiwundura constituency by-election will be held to replace Cde Kizito Chivamba who died last month.
The Head of State and Government and Commander-in- Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces made the announcement in a Statutory Instrument published in the Government Gazette yesterday.
The Nomination Court is set to sit on Friday next week to receive nomination of candidates at the Magistrate’s Court in Gweru.
President Mugabe said he made the proclamation in terms of Section 39 (2) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13), which obliges him to do so soon after receiving notification of a vacancy from Parliament.
“And whereas, the Speaker of Parliament has notified me in writing of the vacancy, which has arisen due to the death of Honourable Kizito Chivamba, who was elected Member of Parliament in the National Assembly for the constituency of Chiwundura: Now therefore, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as aforesaid, I do hereby (a) order a new election for the constituency of Chiwundura, (b) fix Friday the 26th of May, 2017 as the date on which the nomination court shall sit commencing at 10AM, at the Magistrate’s Court, Gweru, for the purpose of receiving nomination of candidate for election as member of the National Assembly constituency for Chiwundura and (c) fix Saturday the 15th of July, 2017 as the day on which a poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 46 (17)(c) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13,” read the notice.
Zanu–PF is tipped to retain the seat judging from previous by-elections where it has comfortably won after the MDC-T, which already has several legislators, said it would not participate in by-elections hiding behind accusations of an uneven playing field.
Observers note that the MDC-T boycott has nothing to do with the playing field, but its fear of being trounced by Zanu-PF that will worsen its already bad reputation in the eyes of the electorate.
Cde Chivamba died at Gweru Provincial Hospital after a short illness and was buried at Midlands Provincial Heroes’ acre after he was declared a liberation war hero.
He was also Zanu-PF deputy provincial chairperson for Midlands province.
Cde Chivamba was elected MP for Chiwundura in the 2008 harmonised election and retained the seat in 2013.
Online Reporter