#ElectionsZW: Let the games begin says Chikwinya, as he receives a call from ZEC

#ElectionsZW: Let the games begin says Chikwinya, as he receives a call from ZEC

Former Mbizo legislator Settlement Chikwinya says he received a phone call from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) in Gweru inviting him to come and submit his nomination papers.

Mbizo was among the 28 National Assembly seats whose by-elections were proclaimed by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

However, the High Court had blocked the nomination arguing that the Chikwinya and five other legislators from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seats were recalled illegally.

However, the High Court in a surprise twist of events cancelled its first order and ordered ZEC to conduct the nominations for the seats.

The High Court order came when the nomination court had closed forcing ZEC to postpone its implementation.

Writing in a Citizens Coalition Change (CCC) media updates WhatsApp group, Chikwinya said ‘’just received a call from ZEC official in Gweru, invitation to come and file nomination papers for Mbizo Constituency Parliament by-election.

‘’Let the game begin,’’ he said.

Chikwinya is one of the six PDP legislators (Tendai Biti, Willias Madzimure, Regai Tsunga, Kucaca Phulu, and Sichelesile Mahlangu that contested the 2018 general elections under the MDC Alliance and won the Parliamentary seats.

The other faction of PDP which was led by Lucia Matibenga contested under a coalition with Joice Mujuru the People Rainbow Coalition but failed to win a single seat.

However, Benjamin Rukanda from the Matibenga faction then wrote to Parliament claiming that he was the secretary-general of the party and that the legislators in question had ceased to represent the party interests.

Although the High Court proved that Rukanda had no power to exercise the aforesaid action, the Parliament of Zimbabwe refused to accommodate the legislators.

By-elections are set for the 26^th of March this year and include about 117 local authority seats that also became vacant due to recalls and the death of councillors.

Several political parties and independent candidates have since been nominated for the by-elections.

#ElectionsZW: Let the games begin says Chikwinya, as he receives a call from ZEC