THE ruling Zanu PF party embarrassed the Welshman Ncube and Sengezo Tshabangu-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) factions in the Umzingwane ward 15 by-elections held during the weekend.
Zanu PF candidate Sifelani Dube polled 515 votes, against CCC’s Victor Phiri, who garnered a paltry 40 votes, with independent candidate Sanele Ndlovu even outdoing the CCC party candidate, getting 48 votes and coming in second.
In a preliminary statement dated October 7 on the by-elections, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) noted a decline in support for the CCC since the August 2023 harmonised elections.
“The official results announced by the Zec [Zimbabwe Electoral Commission] indicate that the Zanu PF party won the by-election. The results for the ward were as follows: Dube (Zanu PF) received 516 votes, while Ndlovu (independent) received 48 votes, and Phiri (CCC) received 40 votes,” the election watchdog said.
“The ward was previously won by the CCC party during the 2023 harmonised elections. The turnout of the by-election stood at 38,64%. Ward 15 has 1 563 registered voters.”
Ward 15 is new in the district after being formed during the 2023 delimitation process and the by-election was held following the death of councillor Handsome Sibanda.
Zesn said its observers reported that the campaign period was relatively peaceful with no incidents, while the environment allowed for electoral contestants across the political divide to canvass for votes.
It said Zanu PF had the most visible campaigns, which included the holding of rallies and meetings which were addressed by party leaders, including Members of Parliament from some of the constituencies in the province.
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Zesn said all three candidates deployed their agents comprehensively at the observed polling stations.
“This is commendable as it allows for the candidates to authoritatively comment on the polling process. Each polling station was staffed by six polling officers.
“Zesn observers noted that many polling stations had male presiding officers. However, there was balanced gender parity with regards to polling officers deployed,” the organisation said
Indications were that the highest number of assisted voters was recorded at Matshetshe Primary School, where 19 people were assisted (14 females and five males).
The number of redirected voters was very low.
At Matshetshe Primary School, Zesn observers reported that one person was redirected, while there were no redirected voters at the other polling stations where the election watchdog had observers.
“Zesn applauds the contestants of the by-election for campaigning peacefully. Zesn continues to urge voters to participate in municipal by-elections as the councillors influence the quality of services that municipalities can deliver,” Zesn said.
