BY-ELECTIONS are set to be conducted in two local authorities in Mashonaland West
for councillors who died before the August 23/24 harmonised polls, before being sworn
in, or after assuming office.
Following the deaths of councillors, who had been elected during the 2023 harmonised
elections, Mashonaland West provincial elections Officer, Austin Ndhlovu, said dates for
nomination court has been set, with election dates scheduled for November.
“We have two local authority by-elections in the province. Initially in the Province there
were three deaths of councillors, two from Zanu PF, Zvimba RDC Ward 23 who died
before election date, Hurungwe RDC Ward 24, and one from CCC, Patricia Chibaya of
Ward 2, but only two are to be voted for as the other one awaits its time since the name
was submitted late so on issue of time lines, it won’t tally.
“We have completed voter education for nomination court, to tell people and candidates
that we have nomination court sitting on October 10, so people should bring their
papers. Proclamation was done on September 22 and since then we are open as ZEC
for people to bring their papers.
“Everything is in order, recruitment of the nomination court officials is already done,
usually it is the DEO, who is the nomination Officer, and so he is there with his team.
Thorough training is going to be done so that there is no room for blunders.
“Elections will take place on November 11 in the two districts,” said Ndhlovu.
Richard Muganhiri a candidate for Zanu PF in Ward 23 of Zvimba Rural District Council
died before the commencement of polls on 23 August and Faro Maga, Hurungwe long-
serving councillor died soon after being sworn in to serve his third term. He joined
council in 2013.