Imposition of candidates in Zanu-PF polls not tolerated

Zanu-PF Harare provincial chairman Cde Amos Midzi made the remarks yesterday as he addressed hundreds of party supporters at a meeting to discuss the elections.
“We’re saying no to imposition of leadership and de-campaigning of potential candidates,” he said.
“It is our profound hope to avoid chaos and that the election would be free and fair.
“As the Provincial Co-ordinating Commit­tee, we met on Saturday and charted the way forward in conducting of the elections. We resolved that all those willing to contest for any post should submit their Curriculum Vitae.”
Cde Midzi said that any aspiring candidate who did not submit a CV would be ineligible to contest the elections.
He said that candidates should indicate on the CV, the post they would be contesting for. They should be a registered voter and a dedi­cated and fully paid up member.
“Aspiring candidates should have been full time party members for more than five years and must not have left the party at any given time for the five years,” said Cde Midzi.
He said the CVs would be vetted by the PCC and by the elections directorate that he chairs.
Cde Midzi said the position of DCC chair­person, the deputy, secretary for administra­tion, youth chairperson and chairlady will be voted for by the 102 executive members of each district.
Cde Midzi said polling stations would be accessible to everyone.
“Voting will be by secret ballot and this time we will be using a ballot paper with names of the candidates,” he said.
“Those eligible for voting must be registered in their respective districts and should bring their national identity cards.
“Votes will be counted on the spot after the elections, followed by an announcement of the results.”
Cde Midzi appealled for equal representation across the districts reiterating that at least one third of the posts would be reserved for women. Zanu-PF deputy secretary for indigenisation and empowerment Cde Tendai Savanhu and deputy secretary for finance Cde Charles Tawengwa also attended the meeting.
Elections to choose the DCCs have been mired in controversy, especially in Manicaland and Masvingo provinces, prompting some party members to demonstrate against and refuse to be bound by the results.