Weekend by-elections peaceful – ZESN

Harare (New Ziana) – The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) on Monday commended the conduct of weekend parliamentary and local government by-elections held in various parts of the country, saying this was done peacefully.

However, the civic organisation expressed concern over one incident involving two Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) supporters from Gutu Central who attempted to disrupt the work of party agents stationed at Chitepo Primary School.

ZESN noted that the polling day environment was largely peaceful in all the places where by-elections were held with the exception of the incident, which observers in Gutu West reported, where two CCC supporters from Gutu Central attempted to disrupt the work of party agents stationed at Chitepo Primary School.

“It was reported that a CCC Member of Parliament for Chiredzi Central came in the company of Gutu Central Councillor Benard Chimwango, at Chitepo Primary School demanding that the ZANU-PF and Independent party agents leave the school where they were stationed. It was reported that the Presiding Officer at the school swiftly intervened to resolve the commotion and ensured that no party agent left the school,” said ZESN in a statement.

The by-elections were held under Sections 50 and 121A of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) for the National Assembly and Local Authority Councillors following the passing on of the candidates and incumbent respectively.

The by-elections were held in Hurungwe RDC Ward 24, Kusile RDC Ward 13, Nkayi RDC Ward 11, Vungu RDC Ward 14 and Zvimba RDC Ward as well as Gutu West Constituency.

For Gutu West constituency, Kurwa Robson represented the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) while Morudu Ephraem stood for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

Mudzingwa Martin Sebastine contested as an Independent candidate and Paradza John was representing ZANU-PF.
ZANU-PF won the Gutu West National Assembly seat as well as Nkayi RDC Ward 11, Hurungwe RDC Ward 24, Vungu RDC Ward 14 and Zvimba RDC Ward 23, while CCC emerged victorious in Kusile RDC Ward 13.

“The political environment in the run-up to the November 11 by-election was relatively peaceful and calm for most of the areas. There were no major incidents of violence that observers reported,” ZESN said.

New Ziana