Zanu-PF takes lead in parliamentary race

Harare (New Ziana) – In parliamentary election results declared so far in Zimbabwe’s mid-week poll, the ruling Zanu-PF party took a lead with 13 seats on Friday, with its nearest rival, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), snatching eight.

Zimbabweans went to the poll on Wednesday to elect a new president, and parliamentary and local government representatives for the next five years.

Vote counting and collation was still taking place on Friday in areas where voting was extended due to glitches experienced, but in results so far declared by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Zanu-PF was winning by wide margins in terms of vote numbers.

The opposite is true in areas where the CCC won.

It is a two-horse race between the two parties throughout the country, with other political parties and independent candidates getting negligeable votes.

In the latest batch of results released, the ZEC declared Zanu-PF’s parliamentary candidate for Gwanda-Tshitsaudze constituency winner with 8 671 votes, beating the CCC’s Jaston Mazhale who obtained 5 889 votes.

In Muzarabani South constituency, Zanu PF also won the seat with 22 526 votes against 1984 for the CCC’s Wellington Gweru.

Zanu-PF’s Siyaki Mudugehama won in Chiredzi East constituency with 14 265 votes, beating the CCC’s Godfrey Maluleke, who got a paltry 3 922 votes.

But in Norton constituency, the tables were turned on the ruling party, with Richard Tsvangirai of the CCC winning the seat with 13 089 votes, against 7 518 for outgoing independent legislator Temba Mliswa, and 5 017 votes for Zanu-PF candidate Constance Shamu.

In Gweru Urban constituency, the CCC’s Josiah Makombe also won with 12 450, beating Alex Muwembi of Zanu-PF who received 5 422 votes.

But in Chiredzi South constituency, Zanu-PF’s Joel Sithole thumped rivals with 11 552 votes, against 7 528 for his nearest challenger, Douglas Gumbo of CCC.

The same was the case in Chirezdi North where Roy Bhila of Zanu PF won with 18 696 votes, against a paltry 2 584 for the CCC’s Fungai Chamisa.

But in Chinhoyi Urban constituency, the CCC’s Evermore Mangwa won with 15 761 votes, beating Zanu-PF’s Thomas Chidzonga who obtained 10 051 votes.

Over six million voters had registered to take part in the poll, one of the country’s most peaceful at campaign and voting stage.

Hundreds of local, regional and international observers witnessed the campaign and voting stages of the election and are still doing so.

Results are being announced in batches in constituencies where vote counting and collating had been completed, but the outcome of the entire election – including the presidential winner – is expected to be declared within five days.

New Ziana