United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) president <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Elisabeth_Valerio">Elisabeth Valerio</a> has condemned the ZANU PF-dominated Parliament’s recent decision to uphold exorbitant candidate nomination fees pegged by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
Valerio said that the nomination fees will make it hard for some aspiring candidates to contest in the 23 August elections as they cannot afford the fees. She was quoted by <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/women-presidential-aspirants-cry-foul-over-us2ok-candidate-fees/">ZimLive</a> as saying:
<blockquote>
Our party is worried about the latest development because the opportunity for candidates to contest in this election is being compromised by the exorbitant fees.
Contesting in elections should not be the preserve of the elite and this latest development by parliament is segregatory.
It strips away all possibility for participation by potential election contestants who may not have the required resources…
The stance taken by the ZANU PF-dominated Parliament simply proves the usual complaint that ZEC is not independent but an agent or mouthpiece of ZANU PF.
It shows clearly that the exorbitant fees originated from ZANU PF headquarters and were merely passed on to ZEC to announce.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe is clear that the state should ensure that its citizens’ political rights are protected and these include running for political office.
When running for political office becomes a preserve of the rich, we are no longer guaranteeing the political rights of citizens.
</blockquote>
According to Statutory Instrument (SI) 144 of 2022, candidates must pay US$1 000 to run for parliamentary seats and US$20 000 to run for president.
The leader of the Nationalists Alliance Party (NAP), Divine Mhambi-Hove successfully challenged the nomination fees through the courts.
The Constitutional Court ordered Parliament to scrutinise them for their legality or lack of.
However, Parliament’s Legal Committee (PLC), which is made up of five members, three of whom are ZANU PF members, approved the nomination fees.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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UZA President Elisabeth Valerio Cries Foul Over US$20 000 Candidate Fees

United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) president, Elisabeth Valerio, said that Zimbabweans are now tired of ZANU PF and MDC/CCC and are yearning for another political party that will fulfill their aspirations.
Since the year 2000, the country’s political landscape has been dominated by ZANU PF and the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) which recently morphed into the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC).
<a href="https://cite.org.zw/zimbabweans-are-tired-of-zanu-pf-and-ccc-uza/">CITE</a> quoted Valerio as saying her party will provide Zimbabweans with the change they are looking for. He said:
<blockquote>
I can understand that has been the norm up to now where Zimbabwe has had these two political parties, either you choose this or that.
Even if you don’t believe in either of them, you think you have to choose the lesser of the two evils.
As the president of UZA, we’ve personally been through so many different communities and sat down with people.
They don’t want either of those two parties mentioned, they don’t want CCC and don’t want ZANU PF.
… Most people do comprehend and understand that the second larger political parties, whether it is MDC or CCC, have been in government.
It’s not like they are coming to the political space today. They have disappointed and so many people have been let down, promises have been broken.
</blockquote>
UZA participated in by-elections that were held last year and performed poorly, having failed to win a single seat.
Valerio acknowledged that it is difficult for voters to trust a political party when they do not know much about it or have the opportunity to see what it can do.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabweans Are Now Tired Of ZANU PF And CCC - Valerio

The opposition United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) party has challenged the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)and the courts to be nonpartisan in dealing with politically-motivated violence cases ahead of general elections scheduled for 2023.
In a statement, UZA said there has been an increase in cases of political violence amid indications that the perpetrators are not arrested. UZA said:
<blockquote>
Politically motivated violence incidences are increasing and this is a worrying trend and an impediment to a free and fair election.
The Constitution allows political competitors to freely campaign without fear of violence.
It is sad that perpetrators of violence walk scot-free despite being known.
This sets a bad precedent and shows the partisan conduct of government institutions.
Our party calls on the police and courts to bring to justice perpetrators of violence regardless of their political affiliation.
</blockquote>
This comes after Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) members including legislators were attacked by suspected ZANU PF youths in Matobo District on Sunday.
The CCC members were having a training meeting to capacitate polling agents at one of the homesteads in Tudi 2 village when they were brutally attacked by the thugs.

UZA Urges Police, Courts To Deal With Political Violence Perpetrators

United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA), led by Elisabeth Valerio, has challenged other political parties to desist from creating divisions in the country but rather to ensure adherence to a democratic system of rule.
In its statement to mark the International Day of Democracy which is commemorated on 15 September every year, UZA also called the country’s youths to participate in politics. Pindula News is publishing the statement issued by UZA below:
<blockquote>
United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) joins Zimbabwe and the rest of the World in commemorating the International Day of Democracy.
Established through a resolution passed by the UN General Assembly in 2007 encouraging governments to strengthen and implement policies and measures that consolidate democracy, the day is celebrated annually on 15 September.
The International Day of Democracy serves as an opportunity for us to reflect and take stock of our journey in fulfilling the basic tenets of democracy.
The day also gives Zimbabwean office bearers and citizens the platform to reflect on and renew their commitment to building equal, accountable, stronger and healthier societies where everyone is protected, respected and empowered to realise their maximum potential for development The United Zimbabwe Alliance values International Day of Democracy.
We celebrated the end of colonial rule in 1980, as it promised to return power to the hands of those elected by the people.
The recognition that women are equal players politically is also appreciated and our party values the role of women as voters and political office bearers.
As we look back on this important day our party believes that while progress has been made to ensure adherence to a democratic system of rule, more needs to be done to ensure that citizens realise the full benefits of a democratic state.
Equally important is the role of youths where we believe that Zimbabwe’s young people will have the deciding vote in the 2023 general elections.
Our youths must realise that they are the drivers of change in our nation. They must know that change will come but this will only be possible if they as citizens participate fully as voters and candidates.
Section 67 of our Constitution sets out political rights for every citizen, stating that every Zimbabwean has the right to make political choices freely.
It also guarantees every Zimbabwean equal rights to fully participate in elections as candidates.
UZA calls on leaders in governments around the world to support and invest in inclusive societies where different opinions are embraced and where freedom of expression is guaranteed.
Our party supports a politically plural Zimbabwe espousing constructive engagement of all political parties in good governance, this is why, as UZA, we don’t spend time denigrating other political parties.
We bring to Zimbabwe a different political agenda and a clear mandate to unite Zimbabweans and build our country which has historically been ruined by divisive politics for the past two decades.
On this day, we are also calling on the existing political parties to desist from creating divisions in our nation and ensure inclusive democracy where every citizen’s political rights are protected and guaranteed.
UZA comes at a time when Zimbabwe is in dire need of new leadership with unifying politics. As UZA, we do not tolerate any form of discrimination.
In a Democracy, state institutions and the other arms of government will be independently espousing the basic tenets of human rights.
</blockquote>

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