Parliamentary by-elections: We will be guided by the court outcome says Chikwinya

Former Mbizo legislator Settlement Chikwinya while they are ready for the by-elections, will also be guided by the court outcome.

Chikwinya is part of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members that were recalled from the Parliament.

However, they challenged their recall arguing that the person who had recalled them had no such power and that they did not belong to the same party.

While their recall was nullified by the court, PDP appealed the issue, and the matter is yet to be heard.

Despite the nullification of their recall, the legislators have been denied the chance to return to Parliament until the issue is finalised.

However, their seats have since been included by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on the list of vacant Parliamentary seats that are set for by-elections.

In an interview, Chikwinya said ‘’We are ready for by-elections and have been working in our constituencies since the time of recalls. Regarding our pending court cases we will be guided by the outcome of the same,’’ he said.

With regards to whether his party will take part in the by-elections, Chikwinya said that decision will be made by the National Council of the party.

‘’Contesting in any election at any time is a decision of the appropriate organ of the party which is the National Council,’’ he said.

There are some who are of the view that the by-elections are no longer necessary and should have been skipped.

Other election watchers argue that the by-elections will help to gauge whether the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has improved the manner it holds elections or not.

ZEC has been under fire from several fronts for failing to hold credible elections. However, in its defence, the election body argues that the reforms that people want it to implement are beyond its powers.

According to ZEC chairperson Priscilla Chigumba, people who want electoral reforms engage their legislators who are the people responsible for making laws.

Parliamentary by-elections: We will be guided by the court outcome says Chikwinya