President Emmerson Mnangagwa has set February 3, 2024, as the date for by-elections to replace six Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MPs who were recalled by the party’s self-proclaimed secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu.
The constituencies affected are Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East, and Mkoba North.
The nomination court will sit on December 18, 2023, for aspiring candidates to file their papers.
There will be another by-election on December 9 to replace the first batch of legislators and councillors who Tshabangu recalled.
President Mnangagwa issued a Statutory Instrument on Saturday, noting that the constituency seats became vacant on November 10, 2023, after Tshabangu recalled the sitting MPs.
“The President of Zimbabwe, in terms of section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, notes that the seats of members of Parliament for Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North have become vacant by reason of ceasing to be members of CCC of Siziba Gift Ostallos, Chatiza Stephen, Madzimbamuto Tapfumanei Willard, Chivero Admore, Mutasa Oliver and Chibaya Amos on the 10th of November, 2023, who were the elected members of Parliament for the respective constituencies,” he said.
“It is provided by section 39(2) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that after the President has been notified in terms of the said section of vacancies in the membership of Parliament, he shall issue a proclamation ordering a new election to fill the vacancies in the same manner, mutatis mutandis, as is provided in section 38 of the said Act in regard to a general election.”
The nomination courts will sit in areas specified in the respective constituencies.
“Under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as afore-said, I do, by this proclamation, order new elections for the constituencies of Pelandaba, Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North; and fix Monday the 18th day of December, 2023, as the date on which the nomination court shall sit, commencing at 10 o’clock in the morning,” he said.
“Magistrate Court, Tredgold Building, Leopold Takawira Avenue, Bulawayo, for the purpose of receiving nomination of candidates for election as a member of National Assembly Constituency of Pelandaba, the Magistrates Court, Ruzawi Road, Marondera, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Goromonzi South and Seke, the Magistrates Court, Gerrard Drive, Chinhoyi, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as members of National Assembly Constituencies of Chegutu West and Zvimba East, the Magistrates Court, Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa Street, Gweru, for the purpose of receiving nominations of candidates for election as member of National Assembly Constituency of Mkoba North and fix Saturday the 3rd of February, 2024, as the day on which a poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 46(17)(c) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13].”
