New electoral law will help MDC-T

By Never Kadungure |Chief Political Reporter|

A new rule compelling candidates for all national elections to submit authorisation letters from their parties to file nomination papers is expected to help the MDC-T win back several seats it lost in the Midlands Province in 2008.

In the 2008 harmonised elections Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s party lost a number of seats in the province after the late senator Patrick Kombayi sponsored parallel candidates in a number of constituencies.

A new Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) rule will now help stamp out the fielding of several candidates for a political party in a constituency.

This would also bring normalcy in the administration of national elections ZEC said.

According to the amended Electoral Act all aspiring parliamentarians seeking to be elected into office on a party ticket are required to bring a certificate of authorisation from secretaries general of their parties.

Independent candidates are not required to meet this requirement.

Although Zanu PF riven by factionalism will also benefit from the new rule it is the Midlands Province equation that will be more significant for the MDC-T given that Kombayi sponsored close to 19 rebel candidates.

MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora said the new regulations were a solution to double candidates in constituencies.

“Some people lose during primaries and proceed to stand either as independents or claiming to represent the same party. There is no way the Secretary General can allow two candidates to stand for one seat,” he said.

“There will be order in the process this time. The people should know that once you subject yourself to a democratic process, you must be prepared to accept the results,” Mwonzora added.

Kurauone Chihwayi a spokesman for the smaller MDC formation said “the law that governs elections in Zimbabwe was agreed upon by the three political parties in the inclusive Government.”

“We do not have problems with ZEC if they operate within the confines of the Electoral Act. We are willing to certify all our candidates and those without our endorsement should be turned away,” Chihwayi said.