CCC Says It's Not Surprised By Loss In By-elections
The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) says it is not surprised by the loss in the by-elections held over the weekend adding that violence employed by the ruling ZANU PF party against its people contributed very much to the outcome.
CCC, led by Nelson Chamisa, won only one council seat out of the six (6) that were up for grabs, namely Mutare, Matobo, Guruve, Takawira, Buhera and Insiza.
The party says the pre-October 22 by-elections violence which was recorded in Matobo and Insiza districts, where CCC members were attacked and injured by alleged ZANU PF supporters, had a negative bearing on the outcome of the elections.
Bulawayo Proportional Representation MP Jasmine Toffa (CCC) was injured while on a campaign trail and had to be hospitalised as a result of the violence.
CCC deputy spokesperson Felix Magalela Sibanda told NewsDay that the elections were not free and fair. Sibanda said:
We are not surprised or saddened by the results of the six by-elections that happened over the weekend. Naturally, we knew that ZANU PF had that strategy to come and disturb people a week before elections. These were not free and fair elections as they had elements of intimidation through violence. They use this tactic of intimidating people so that they are afraid to go and vote.
Our membership has increased by 45%. We still have hope that come 2023 we are going to win these elections. These are just wards.
Meanwhile, electoral watchdogs have urged the government to facilitate dialogue among political parties to avoid disputes in future elections.
In a statement on the just-ended by-elections, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) and the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) to ensure a peaceful and enabling environment that satisfies credible elections.
Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust director Ignatious Sadziwa said the elections failed the credibility and legitimacy test, hence they are far from being free and fair.
