Mash East poll today

Felex Share and Tendai Mugabe Harare Bureau
ZANU-PF has ordered fresh Central Committee elections in Mashonaland East province today following concerns that the initial list submitted to the 6th National People’s Congress last week was infested with elements linked to Vice President Joice Mujuru who is under fire for plotting to assassinate President Mugabe.

This effectively nullifies the two amended lists separately approved yesterday by the provincial executive and an interim committee set up by war veterans to run the affairs of the province.

The two lists saw the ouster of one of the longest serving members of the Central Committee in Mashonaland East Sydney Sekeramayi and other heavyweights who included David Parirenyatwa, Cdes Paddy Zhanda and Jerry Gotora.

Congress delegates from Mashonaland East raised complaints over the names submitted as Central Committee members from their province, prompting President Mugabe to ask the province to re-look their list and submit the names acceptable to the members.

Outgoing national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo last night told journalists that the elections would be held in all the administrative districts today.

He said the decision had been taken in consultation with the President and First Secretary of the party.

“The Electoral College will still remain the same, that is the district chairpersons of the main wing, the Youth and the Women’s Leagues of the party districts,” he said.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police under the command of the Dispol will preside and supervise the elections. The elections will be held simultaneously in all the administrative districts of Mashonaland East province between 11AM and 3PM tomorrow (today), 9th December 2014. All the party comrades involved are expected to cooperate and conduct a clean election.”