The Citizens Coalitions for Change (CCC), Zimbabwe’s main opposition party, is ramping up preparations for the August elections by planning to deploy thousands of polling agents across the country.
CCC deputy spokesperson Gift Siziba confirmed the party aims to have 44,000 polling agents at all polling stations on election day to monitor voting and guard against possible rigging attempts by the ruling Zanu PF party.
The CCC is fundraising from members and supporters to fund the massive deployment of polling agents as well as its overall election campaign. Zimbabweans living abroad are also campaigning online to raise funds for the party.
In contrast, the Zanu PF party has access to substantial state resources to fund its campaign. The party has been buying all-terrain vehicles for candidates and spent $2 million at its recent campaign launch. Zanu PF official Uebert Mudzanire claims President Emmerson Mnangagwa has mobilized US$240 million for his reelection bid.
The CCC plans to train its polling agents and councillors in early August ahead of the elections. In 2018, the MDC Alliance, CCC’s predecessor, failed to field agents at some polling stations, which arguably benefited Mnangagwa.
CCC leader Nelson Chamisa is one of 11 presidential candidates. Some analysts say he may gain votes from Saviour Kasukuwere, an exiled former Zanu PF official who is also running for president. However, a High Court challenge has been filed to block Kasukuwere’s candidacy.
