ZANU PF not happy with the delimitation exercise-Garwe

MARONDERA-ZANU PF Mashonaland East says it is not happy with the current
delimitation process that is taking place throughout the country, saying it has inconvenienced
several of its potential voters and will bring their complaints to the relevant authorities.
This was said by the party’s provincial chairman Daniel Garwe while addressing a Provincial
Coordination Committee meeting at the party’s provincial headquarters in Marondera
recently.

“Let me now focus on the animal called delimitation. We all know that from time to time, it
is a constitutional requirement that after every 10 years, there is delimitation of boundaries
caused by variables like increased population in certain areas. The one used in 2018 was
carried out around 2007-2008, whilst the one we are supposed to use next year is the one
currently going on,” he said.
Garwe expressed concern over how the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) carried out
the whole exercise. He noted with concern that ZEC’s consultations were defective in that
only one councilor and a headman were consulted in each constituency during the exercise.
“Some constituencies have 3 000 people whilst others have up to 35 000 people. How then is
it possible to allow only two community leaders to give their views on behalf of 35 000
people. This is unacceptable,” said Garwe.
He said it is improper to then say the views of two people are a reflection of the entire
community of 35 000 people. Such views are not people’s views, but views of one councilor
and one headman.
He gave an example of Ward 5 in Murehwa North constituency which was moved to Mutoko
South constituency and Hwedza district which was deemed unable to house two
constituencies as its voter population was regarded to be lower than the expected number.
“It was logical that Hwedza North which was being affected was then supposed to feed into
Hwedza South constituency, but to our surprise it was instead fed into Marondera Central,
several kilometers away, skipping Marondera East which is nearer,” he said, adding that
some wards in Goromonzi such as Bromley were shifted to Seke where there are already
challenges with Dema, Nyatsime and Chitungwiza.
He said most delimitation processes in most constituencies are worrisome to the party, saying
the party is not happy with the whole exercise.