#ElectionsZW: High Court cancels its order on PDP legislators

By Mary Mundeya

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) today received a directive to resume the nomination process for the six constituencies that became vacant following the recall of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) legislators regardless of having received another directive to cancel the nomination process for the same constituencies yesterday.

The development comes at a time when a number of court orders in favour of the 6 candidates have been put forward since last year without bearing any fruits.

A letter directed to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission by the High Court, nullified the cancellation of the nomination court process for the constituencies for lack of legality.

‘’The cancellation of the nomination court process for the constituencies of Nkulumane Constituency, Mbizo Constituency, Kambuzuma Consitituency, Mutasa South Constituency, Pumula Constituency and Harare East Constituency by the Zimbabwe Election Commission be and is hereby declared null and void for lack of legality.”

“The first respondent be and is hereby ordered to open the nomination court for the nomination of candidates to fill the vacancies for the constituencies of Nkulumane constituency, Mbizo Constituency, Kambuzuma Constituency, Mutasa South Constituency, Pumula Constituency and Harare East Constituency.”

In a tweet, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission dismissed the directive sighting that it had submitted after the nomination courts had closed.

“This court order was served at 1655hrs after the nomination courts had closed and it became a legal impossibility to implement. Nomination courts close at 1600hrs in terms of the law. ZEC will be guided on way forward by legal instruments/orders to be issued in terms of the law,” the tweet read.

It now remains to be seen how the matter will be handled or whether the legislators will also approach the court with the matter.

It is the court’s view that the legislators were recalled by someone who had no powers to do the same

#ElectionsZW: High Court cancels its order on PDP legislators