adminZanu-PF, MDC-T, Zapu and MDC have in the past weeks been rolling out rallies in different parts of the province in what analysts say is a sign that the campaign for the elections to be held in March, has started.
Zanu-PF has been in the lead with Cde Obert Mpofu, who is the Member of the House of Assembly for Umguza constituency and Minister of Mines and Mining Development, conducting rallies almost every weekend in Umguza, Hwange and Victoria Falls.
The Professor Welshman Ncube-led MDC has also been running around Lupane, Tsholotsho and Nkayi districts.
The MDC-T has been holding rallies in the province with the latest one being one which they held in Bubi constituency at the weekend.
Zapu has also pushed its way into the province in districts such as Tsholotsho and Lupane.
The campaigns have been very peaceful.
The last election in 2008 was also tightly contested in the province with Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations winning a considerable number of seats.
Zanu-PF won Umguza Constituency with Cde Mpofu, Bubi under Cde Clifford Sibanda, Nkayi North, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, Lupane West of Cde Martin Khumalo and the Senatorial seat for Bubi-Umguza which was taken by Cde Lot Mbambo.
The MDC, then led by Professor Arthur Mutambara, won Nkayi South with Mr Abednigo Bhebhe who was later fired before defecting to the MDC-T.
It also won Lupane East with Mr Njabuliso Mnguni who was also fired and defected to MDC-T and the Senatorial seats for Nkayi and Lupane under Mr Rabson Makhula and Mr Dalumuzi Khumalo.
The party also won Tsholotsho South under Mr Maxwell Dube and the Senatorial seat in the district under Mr Believe Gaule.
Tsholotsho North was won by Professor Jonathan Moyo, then an independent candidate before rejoining Zanu-PF.
The MDC-T won all the seats in Binga and Hwange constituencies.
Analysts have said the battle for the control of Matabeleland North was so intense given the fact that all the parties won a considerable number of seats in the last poll.
“I think all these parties are afraid of Zanu-PF,” said Cde Mpofu, who has been doing all the legwork in the province.
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Online Reporter