Voter apathy in Bulilima

Bongani Ndlovu, Chronicle Reporter
There was a low voter turnout during the Bulilima local authority elections in Matabeleland South province on Saturday with just above 50 percent of registered voters casting their ballots.

The elections were held after the resignation of Zanu-PF councillors, Cde Tonny Mlotshwa (Ward 1) and Cde Ntungamili Dube (Ward 14) and the death of Cde Delani Mabhena (Ward 16).

According to a notice by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, a total of 1 811 votes were cast out of the 3 540 registered voters in the three wards that were up for grabs.

In Ward 1 the percentage poll was 50.80; Ward 14 was the highest with 53.24 percent and Ward 16 was the lowest with 50.35 percent.

A total of 1 729 registered voters in the three wards did not cast their ballots.

The polls were contested by Zanu-PF, Zapu, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), People’s Patriotic Party (PPP) and Constitutional Generation for Change (CGC).

In Ward 14 Cde Experience Dube representing Zanu-PF won with 459 votes, beating Mr Ephraim Moyo (CCC) who got 332 and Mr Linos Moyo (Zapu) received 18 votes. There were five spoilt ballot papers.

In Ward 1 Mr Ephraim Moyo (CCC) won with 385 votes, beating Zanu-PF’s Cde Kossam Phapha Ndlovu who got 315 votes, Mr Dalton Moyo (PPP) received 12 votes and Ms Lingiwe Nyoni of the CGC with seven votes. There were 14 spoilt ballot papers.

In ward 16 Mr Makhandi Moyo of CCC won 131 votes beating Cde Jane Moyo of Zanu-PF who received 118 votes and Mr Hitman Ncube of Zapu who received 34 votes.

There were three spoilt ballot papers. This brought a total of 22 spoilt ballot papers across the three wards.

Zec spokesperson, Commissioner Jasper Mangwana said the process went on smoothly.

“The by-elections in Bulilima were held in a peaceful environment and the results were posted on the Zec Twitter page. The polling stations opened at 7AM and closed at 7PM,” said Commissioner Mangwana.