Eleven Cleared To Battle For Presidency

New Ziana – Eleven aspiring presidential candidates, out of 21 applicants, have been
cleared to run in the upcoming general election, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission
(ZEC) said on Thursday.
The country will hold combined presidential, parliamentary and local government
elections on August 23 to choose new representatives for the next five years.
Election nomination courts sat countrywide last Wednesday to register candidates vying
to contest in the polls.
ZEC deputy chairperson, Rodney Kiwa said 21 presidential aspirants had filed
nomination papers to run in the election, but 10 were dropped for various reasons.
“There were 21 presidential candidates in all, and out of this 11 were successful. Ten
were rejected for various reasons,” he said.
Among those successful is President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is seeking a second
term, and is considered the front runner in the race.
His main challenger, opposition Citizens Coalition for Change leader, Nelson Chamisa,
also successfully registered to run in the election.
Other qualifying presidential candidates were Douglas Mwonzora of the MDC-T, ex-
minister Saviour Kasukuwere running as an independent, NCA leader Prof. Lovemore
Madhuku, Joseph Makamba of FREEZIM Congress, Trust Tapiwa Chikohora of ZCPD,
Blessing Kasiyamhuru of ZIPP, Wilbert Archbald Mubaiwa of NPC, Henry Gwinyai of the
UANC and Wilson Harry Peter of DOP.
Kiwa did not state reasons why the other applicants fell by the way side.
In the last election in 2018, 23 presidential candidates took part in the poll, the biggest
number in the country’s history.
Kiwa said the names of successful parliamentary and local government candidates will
be announced at the end of this month.

New Ziana