Zanu-PF gears for polls …outlines rules for primary elections

Prosper Ndlovu and Temba Dube Senior Reporters
ZANU-PF yesterday publicised its rules and regulations governing the conduct of primary elections with emphasis on knowledgeable candidates of good repute who are loyal to the aims and objectives of the party. The party has set 24 June as the date for its primaries ahead of the harmonised elections on 31 July.
According to the guidelines released yesterday, the party would accept applications from candidates as young as 21 years for the National Assembly and council elections.

All aspiring candidates must be registered voters and fully paid members of the party who should have served as office bearers at district level and above for at least five years.

“Those aspiring to be Parliamentarians must, in addition, have adequate political, economic, cultural and social knowledge of Zimbabwean affairs to contribute meaningfully to debate,” read the guideline document.

“The same qualifications apply for councillors except that one must have served in the branch or cell as an office bearer for at least five years.”
It is stated in the document that party members wishing to run for the Senate must be at least 40 years of age and should have contributed to the liberation struggle and or the development of Zimbabwe consistently and persistently.

However, it is shown in the document that any party member who stands as an independent candidate in any local authority, National Assembly or Senatorial elections shall automatically be expelled from the party without recourse to any procedure.
The party would also disqualify candidates with a criminal record.

“Any party member shall be disqualified from representing the party if in the past five years, have been convicted of any crime and sentenced to a term of imprisonment to a period in excess of 12 months and has not received the Presidential pardon in respect of such conviction,” read the document.

Members who in the past five years have been convicted of any offence under the electoral law, declared insolvent by a court of law or been found guilty for misconduct in terms of Article 10 Section 74 and 75 of the party’s constitution would also be ineligible.

“Any member who in the past five years has been found guilty by the relevant disciplinary organs of the party of practising tribalism, regionalism, nepotism, indiscipline and insubordination will also be disqualified,” read the document.

The rules and regulations provide a quota for six female candidates per province in the Parliamentary elections.
For Provincial Councils there shall be 50-50 representation for men and women.

Primary elections would be a one-day exercise.
Aspiring candidates are expected to submit their CVs and application letters today.
On Monday, the party’s National Election Directorate (NED) will consider submissions by the provincial election directorate and make their recommendations for consideration by the Politburo.

On Tuesday the Politburo will meet to consider the NED submissions and thereafter the National Chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, will announce  the list signalling the start of campaigns of candidates.

The Commissariat department headed by Cde Webster Shamu will train polling officers between 20 and 21 June and also produce and distribute the ballots and other election material to be used during primaries.