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Writes Elvis Dumba
Chinhoyi – The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa claims that the withholding of their party’s parliamentary candidates’ names until nomination day is a strategy to avoid disgruntled members from filing papers as independent candidates.
The opposition claims it has finished its nationwide consultation on candidates selection for their party’s parliamentary candidates whilst Advocate Nelson Chamisa is representing the party in the presidential elections.
“A lot of people are interested in knowing our candidates and I want to assure you that we are geared up to lead the nation into a new country with milk and honey and our change champions are ready after being selected by community champions across the country. Those in the freedom train are aware of who are their respective candidates,” a CCC official Provincial member who requested not to be identified as he is not allowed to speak to the media confided to this publication
“The reason why we did not put out the names of our candidates publicly is that we know that ZANU PF is fretting to know our candidates’ names so they can put spanners on our way after failing to infiltrate our selection process. Our real supporters in the struggle know who are our candidates whilst the rest will know after the nomination court,” he said.
“We are trying to avoid a situation of having double candidates or independent candidates filing nomination papers on the pretext of being disgruntled over the candidates’ selection process which we know ZANU PF has planned and has been previously doing so we have put in place strategies that we will only have one change champion representing CCC in each Constituency,” he said.
Citizens Coalition for Change had its candidates selected through community-based consensus meetings whilst primary elections were held in some places.
ZANU PF had its primary elections in all constituencies.
Efforts to get a comment from Citizens Coalition for Change Spokesperson, Fadzai Mahere proved fruitless after her mobile number remained unanswered whilst WhatsApp messages sent to her number remained unanswered.
ZANU PF Spokesperson, Christopher Mutsvangwa said the opposition party has failed to put their house in order proving how incompetent they are.
“Chamisa and his regime change handlers have proved they are incompetent and have failed to get candidates standing for them and resorting to imposing candidates whilst claiming they are champions of democracy,” he said.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission will receive nomination papers for local authority, house of assembly, and presidential candidates on 21 June 2023 with general elections slated for 23 August 2023.