adminThe Constitutional Court yesterday ruled that over 26 000 special voters who failed to cast their ballots on designated days will vote on Wednesday next week during normal polling. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission filed the application following letters of complaint from Police Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri and MDC-T secretary- general Tendai Biti that those who failed to vote had been disenfranchised.
In granting the order, Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku said Zec should make sure that all the officials who did not vote during the special ballot on 14 and 15 July can now vote on the 31st.
“The application is granted in terms of the draft as amended.
“The first applicant (Zec) takes all necessary steps to ensure that its officers and officers under the command of the first, second and third respondent authorised to cast the ballot according to the Electoral Act Chapter 2: 12 who failed to cast their ballots on the 14th and 15th of July because of the unavailability of ballot papers be allowed to cast their ballots on July 31,” he said.
Justice Chiweshe said reasons for the granting of the order will be given in due course.
Out of the 63 268 special voters who were registered to vote, only 37 108 managed to exercise their voting rights while 26 160 failed due to logistical challenges.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court also dismissed the application by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists for its members to be considered for special voting, saying if journalists wanted the same privilege they should approach Parliament seeking an amendment to the Electoral Act.
The union had sought an order compelling Zec to allow journalists who will be out in different provinces covering elections to be given an opportunity to vote before the date. — New Ziana
Online Reporter