High Court overturns ZEC out of time registrations for August elections

Bulawayo (New Ziana) -The High Court in Bulawayo on Thursday nullified the registration by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of 12 Citizens Coalition Change (CCC) candidates to participate in the August 23 harmonised elections because they were filed out of time.

Justice Bongani Ndhlovu ruled that the 12 CCC nominees should not be included on ballot papers to be used in the August polls since the decision by ZEC to accept nomination papers of various political parties after the 4 PM deadline was null and void.

Justice Nokuthula Moyo handed down the ruling on behalf of Justice Ndhlovu.

The candidates who were disqualified are Frank Mhlanga,Ntandoyenkosi Minenhle Gumede, Raphaël Pashor Sibanda, Surrender Kapoikilu,Nompilo Bhebe,Adelaide Mhlanga, Desire Moyo,Sichelesile Mhlanga,Obert Manduna,Ereck Gono, Douglas Ncube, Gift Ostallos Siziva,Sanpoulus Maplanka,Prince Ncube,Nqobizitha Ndhlovu,Desmond Makaza and Bajila Collins Descent.

“It is declared that the decision of the first respondent (ZEC), sitting as a Nomination Court at Bulawayo Court at Bulawayo on 21 and 22 June 2023 to accept the respondent`s nomination papers and candidate in the elections scheduled for August 2023 is declared null and void and is hereby set aside,” ruled Justice Ndhlovu.

He added: “Accordingly ZEC is prohibited from including the names of the respondents in the preparation of the ballot papers to be used in the August 23 general elections.”

The ruling affects other candidates from various parties which include CCC, Zapu, FreeZim Congress (ZANC) who also submitted their papers after the 4 PM deadline.

Members of Early Elected Democrats filed an urgent chamber application seeking to bar 12 candidates from participating in the upcoming elections.

The EED alleged that the CCC candidates submitted their nomination papers after the deadline of 4PM on June 21,2023.

However, ZEC had already published a list of candidates who successful filed their nomination papers on June 21.

The CCC candidates were represented by Professor Welshman Ncube of Mathonsi Ncube Law Chambers while the applicants were represented by Nqobizitha Ndlovu from Cheda and Partners Practitioners.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was represented by Tawanda Kanengoni of Nyika, Kanengoni and Partners.

New Ziana