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MDC-T to abandon primary elections in nine constituencies over the weekend, The Herald has learnt.
The dispute over the structures delayed holding of primary elections in most constituencies in Manicaland on Sunday with the process in some areas beginning as late as 5pm.
Some aspiring candidates bused people to voting venues, causing chaos as they were not in the structures and were, therefore, comprising the electoral colleges.
The MDC failed to hold primary elections in Chikanga-Dangamvura, Mutare North, Chipinge Central and Makoni Central and Buhera West in Manicaland province on Sunday.
This happened amid reports of the emergence of factions within the MDC-T Manicaland province.
Two factions have emerged, one reportedly aligned to MDC-T Manicaland provincial chairman Mr Julius Magarangoma and the other to Mutasa North legislator Mr David Chimhini.
Mr Chimhini lost to Mr Magarangoma on the provincial chairman’s post in 2010 and sources said their relations were at their lowest.
“It is factionalism that has affected the holding of primary elections with each camp trying to flex its muscle,” a source said.
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In Masvingo province, the MDC-T failed to hold primary elections in Chiredzi South, Mwenezi East, Mwenezi West and Bikita East because of lack of structures and fights over those existing in some of the constituencies.
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora yesterday confirmed the party failed to hold primary elections in the said constituencies because of disputes over the composition of the electoral college.
“There were various reasons for not having primary elections in those constituencies,” he said. “In Makoni Central and Mutare North, there were issues to do with composition of the electoral college.
There were disputes about the identity of the people in the electoral college. Those are the same issues in Chipinge and Chikanga-Dangamvura.”
Mr Mwonzora said the MDC-T’s organising department led by Mr Nelson Chamisa was expected to resolve the problems soon.
He said the MDC-T was fielding candidates in Mwenezi East and Mwenezi West unopposed, while the party was going to hold primary elections in Chiredzi South.
Online Reporter