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Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has said the attempt to withdraw from the Presidential poll by MDC’s Douglas Mwonzora will not be recognised at law and his name will remain on the ballot paper as his attempt came after the stipulated period of no later than 21 days before polling day.
All he can do is ask people not to vote him if he does not wish to stand.
ZEC also dismissed allegations by Mr Mwonzora that the Commission had denied candidates from his party the right to nomination, saying that was false.
In a statement, ZEC chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana said any withdrawals that were after the stipulated period would not be recognised by the electoral body.
“The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) would like to inform the electorate that Section 107 of the Electoral Act allows presidential candidates to withdraw their candidature by way of a written notice to the Chief Elections Officer no later than 21 days from polling day,” he said.
“Any attempts to withdraw one’s candidature after the stipulated period will not be recognised by the law hence one’s name will remain on the ballot paper.
“The commission would also like to categorically refute allegations by the MDC-T president that ZEC denied the right for some of its members to be nominated as candidates for the upcoming elections.”
Mr Silaigwana said everything done by ZEC pertaining to this year’s elections had been above board.
“The commission complied with provisions of the law and its decision was upheld by the courts in that regard,” he said. “The commission’s role in the conduct of elections is to administer the electoral process without fear or favour and it is regrettable that some people consider the actions of the commission and its agents to be partial when the commission is only exercising its functions as per provisions of the law.”
Meanwhile, Mr Silaigwana announced that four candidates had withdrawn from the Local Authority race.
Zanu PF candidates in Karoi Town Council Ward 8 Kudzai Gasho, Zvimba RDC Ward 4 Lameck Zhanda and Zvimba RDC Ward 31 Luke Rutter withdrew, while UZA’s George Chihwai in Makonde RDC Ward also withdrew.
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