eBusiness Weekly
Africa Moyo
The MDC Alliance, which has flooded the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) with a litany of frivolous cases, is staring defeat in the face as most of its erstwhile supporters are protesting the imposition of candidates.
Attempts to court public sympathy by posting messages critical of the elections body, ZEC, by MDC Alliance leaders are rebounding spectacularly, with a number of citizens openly declaring that they will not vote for the party on July.
Recently, ZEC announced that political parties taking part in the July 30 harmonised polls were allowed to witness the printing of ballot papers, to eliminate fears of opposition parties that the process would be used by ZANU-PF to rig the elections.
Beyond observing the ballot printing process, parties were also given a sample of the paper being used.
However, MDC-T national chairman Morgen Komichi, on Wednesday insinuated on his Facebook page that ZEC was determined to ensure that ZANU-PF wins the forthcoming election.
“ZEC is abusing the law to save ZANU-PF,” said Mr Komichi.
However, instead of getting sympathisers, Komichi was blasted by his Facebook followers, with some accusing him of the worst electoral thief after previously being convicted of possession of ballots.
Shelton Tapiwa Chiyangwa said: “Speak of Morgen Komichi who was convicted after (being) found with marked ballots.
“You are not clever MDC people. You too are very good at rigging now the nets are tight and you are wondering what to do.”
Laiton Mkandawire said: “You cant even define an “Alliance” or run a small party and yet you are on ZEC’s case.”
Mr Mkandawire’s remarks come at a time when party members are at each other’s throats over the imposition of candidates. The MDC-T led by Nelson Chamisa has also been criticised by fellow alliance members for fielding candidates in constituencies where they had agreed that other smaller parties will field candidates.
Another damning comment was from Noel Behane, who said: “Just like you guys did to serve your tribal and sexist agenda. For every seeding there is a harvest (sic).”
The MDC-T is enmeshed in stinging allegations of side-lining long-time party members in favour of new people that are reportedly close to the leadership.
On another post, Mr Komichi said: “We want transparency in the ballot paper printing!”
This is despite efforts by ZEC to make the process as transparent as possible, through inviting political parties to witness the printing process. While there were 49 “likes” and a comment by Felix Chigwagwa Chigs which said ZEC must fall, other comments were not exciting.
Tinashe Didymus Makuyana said: “You guys failed the party on candidates selection, double candidates in several constituencies, failure to field candidates in some constituencies and wards.
“These internal issues should have been solved before you lament about rigging.
“With all due respect, I think the chair and the organiser have proved to be worse than those guys who defected with Thokozanu! (sic)”
Malcom Machiridza-Mapondera also said: “Millions of Zimbabweans had their hopes pinned on the MDC, everywhere you go now, it seems people are caught between a rock and a hard place.”
There is a crisis in MDC Alliance after several party members had their names accepted by the Nomination Court.
In Harare, the biggest battle is in Harare West Constituency where incumbent MP Jessie Majome withdrew from primary elections claiming the ground was titled in favour of Joana Ruvimbo Mamombe.
Mojome has since filed her papers as an independent and is lobbying residents of Harare West to vote for her.
In Bulawayo, a multiplicity of political parties that broke out of MDC-T have also filed their papers while others are contesting as independent candidates.
Out of the constituencies in Bulawayo, there are 204 candidates. Magwegwe Constituency has the highest number candidates – 22 – followed by Pumula (21).
Luveve has 18 while Lobengula, Bulawayo Central, Makokoba, Nketa and Pelandaba-Mpopoma have 17 each.
Bulawayo South has 16, Nkulumane (15), Bulawayo East (15), and Emakhandeni-Entumbane (12).
