Aspiring candidates for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) will go through a four-stage rigorous vetting process before they get the green light to represent the party in this year’s harmonised elections.
The opposition party began its candidate selection process on Wednesday and has since outlined that there are more processes to be done in the upcoming weeks to finalise its candidates’ list.
The nomination process was marred by logistical challenges at many centres across the country.
Addressing a press conference in Harare, Thursday, CCC spokesperson, Fadzayi Mahere said the process has at least four stages with the nomination being the first stage.
“Following nomination, there is going to be a vetting process and the fact that one has been nominated is not the end of the situation, it doesn’t mean that you are yet eligible to be a candidate,” she said.
Mahere said after the vetting process is complete, they are also going to further consult ‘key stakeholders’ in various communities who will have an opportunity to make their representations on who they would like to represent them.
“Thereafter, the very important community consensus building part of the candidate will start where there will be citizens caucuses where citizens will come together be told there is X, there is Y candidate, who do you prefer and why, they have an opportunity to make their case, deliver a very brief manifesto of what they plan to deliver in their wards or constituency and also to take questions from the community concerning their eligibility to run,” she said.
She also stressed that the process will also look at certain qualities in a candidate.
“Obviously, as has been highlighted the template looks at factors such as integrity, ties in service to a community, commitment to the cores, any expertise, any special skill one has, obviously taking into account to ensure that we comply with the Constitution on matters such as disability inclusion and gender parity, so at the end of the day, what we are going to deliver is a citizen’s dream team that incorporates every citizen, every represented group, every special interest group in Zimbabwe,” said Mahere.
“We obviously expect to be able to put our best foot forward in the coming election, the process is going to be expeditious, we have timelines that we have set for the independent panel and hopefully those processes will be completed soon so that we have time for nomination and time obviously for last get out the vote campaign period.”
The ruling Zanu PF party has already announced its candidates with a few constituencies expected to redo the nomination process.
Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has indicated that the harmonised elections will be held between July 26 and August 26 this year.
