Zimbabwe’s electoral body says it is fully prepared for the Nkulumane parliamentary by-election, which will be held on Saturday.
Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) deputy chairperson Ambassador Rodney Simukai Kiwa said all logistical, financial and human resources were in place ahead of polling.
Speaking at a press conference at the constituency command centre at Nkulumane High School on Friday, Commissioner Kiwa said the commission had budgeted ZWL$21 million for the by-election.
“All material and human resources are in place,” he said.
“The constituency elections officer and deputy, ward elections officers and deputies, as well as presiding and polling officers for all polling centres, have been recruited and trained.”
He said Nkulumane constituency has a voter population of 22 833, with 23 500 ballot papers printed to allow for a contingency of 2.92%.
“There are 34 polling stations in the constituency,” Commissioner Kiwa said.
“There will be two collation centres, one at Nkulumane High School and the other at Queen Elizabeth School.”
Polling stations will open at 7:00am and close at 7:00pm, he said, adding that voters already in queues at closing time would still be allowed to cast their ballots.
“Our stations will close at 7pm, but everyone who will be waiting in the queue to vote after that time will be served,” he said.
“If you are already at the polling station and waiting to cast your vote, you will get the chance to do so.”
Commissioner Kiwa urged residents to turn out in large numbers, saying voter education efforts by ZEC and other stakeholders had helped raise awareness ahead of the poll.
“Judging from the number of candidates contesting this by-election, it shows that people are well aware of their constitutional right to vote,” he said.
“We hope that the people of Nkulumane will come out in their numbers to exercise that right.”
The nine candidates contesting the Nkulumane seat are Esther Auxilia Zitha (Independent), widow of the late MP Desire Moyo; Ethel Sibanda (MDC-T); Nompilo Ncube Malaba (Zimbabwe African National Congress – ZANC); Alson Moyo (EFF); Rodney Donovan Jele (Independent); Mbuso Fuzwayo (Independent); Freedom Murechu (Zanu PF); Mothusi “Madlela” Ndlovu (CCC); and Siziba Viyo Vivian (ZAPU).
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