Parties primary elections loom

as the political parties in the inclusive Government intensify preparations for harmonised elections.
The MDC-T has also started receiving applications from prospective candidates.

In an interview yesterday, Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said the party would wait for the consummation of the constitution-making process, which is a key pointer to general elections. We will hold those (primary) elections after referendum,” he said.

The referendum is provisionally set for March if the draft constitution sails through in Parliament. Cde Gumbo said the revolutionary party was still crafting rules that would govern the primaries.

“The rules are yet to be finalised but we do not want to hold primary elections before the completion of the constitution making process,” he said.

MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said his party would conduct primary elections early next month. He said they were receiving applications from prospective candidates countrywide.
“The deadline for receiving applications is January 31,” he said.

Mr Mwonzora said all the constituencies might be contested if people do not confirm the sitting Members of Parliament. He said there was no need for primary elections in constituencies where MPs were confirmed by two thirds of the party’s electorate.

“We will prioritise confirmation of sitting candidates and primary elections might be held in all constituencies if the sitting MPs are not confirmed,” he said.