Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has been officially informed by Parliament about 18 vacant seats in the National Assembly and Senate.
This follows the recent recall of legislators from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC). The Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, and the President of the Senate, Mabel Chinomona, have both written to ZEC to notify them of the vacancies.
Kennedy Chokuda, the Clerk of Parliament, confirmed the transmission of the letters, stating that it was the first step in accordance with legislative requirements. The law stipulates that elections to fill the vacant seats must be held within 90 days of the declaration of the vacancies. ZEC’s deputy chairperson, Ambassador Rodney Kiwa, also confirmed the receipt of the letters and mentioned that the electoral management body is in the process of notifying the President to issue a proclamation setting the dates for the by-elections.
Ambassador Kiwa emphasized that the by-elections must be conducted within the 90-day time-frame. He added that preparations for the by-elections scheduled for December 9 are well underway. Preliminary polling stations have already been released, and the final list will be published on the day of the elections.
The recent recall by the self-imposed CCC interim secretary-general, Sengezo Tshabangu, affected six National Assembly legislators and seven others elected through proportional representation. The recalled MPs include Admore Chivero, Stephen Chatiza, Gift Siziba, Tapfumaneyi Madzimbauto, Oliver Mutasa, Amos Chibaya, Emma Muzondiwa, and Machirairwa Mugidho. Additionally, Webster Maondera, Jameson Timba, Vongai Tome, Editor Madzamise, and Ralph Magunje were recalled from the Senate.
The upcoming by-elections on December 9 will take place in various constituencies, including Beitbridge West, Binga North, Bulawayo South, Cowdray Park, Lobengula-Magwegwe, Lupane East, Mabvuku-Tafara, Mpopoma-Mzilikazi, and Nketa Constituency.
ZEC is assuring the public that preparations for the by-elections are progressing well, and they are fully prepared to carry out the electoral process smoothly.
