tawandamusarurwa
Richard Muponde
MR ISHMAEL ZHOU yesterday retained his seat as senator representing persons with disabilities (PWDs) after defeating seven other contestants in elections held yesterday.
He polled 128 votes, ahead of Mr Taurai Kadzviti, who secured 98, Mr Tapfuma Zhou and Nomthandazo who both got 11.
Presiding officer Mrs Joice Mthombeni declared Mr Zhou duly elected senator late last night.
However, by the time of going to press, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) officials were yet to commence counting votes for the female senator representing PWDs.
Voting for the two seats commenced after 5pm, with an electoral college comprising 130 delegates casting their votes.
The process started with the registration of delegates around 11am.
After the registration, ZEC legal officer Advocate Ray Zvoushe explained the legal process of voting for PWDs’ representatives.
Mrs Alice Jonasi of Harare, who was one the first voters to cast their ballots, said the voting was smooth.
“The voting was good and the process was smooth,” she said.
“I am very excited to be part of this process, where I exercised my right to choose our representatives in the Senate, who will articulate our issues in Parliament.
“It is good that PWDs were given this opportunity because we elect people with whom we share the same interests and challenges.”
Mr Moses Marufu, who is a miner in Kadoma, said the voting was better than in previous elections.
“It’s really an improvement from the previous elections,” he said.
X (formerly Twitter): @muponde richard
Online Reporter