Lovemore Mataire Senior Reporter
ALL is set for the holding of parliamentary by-elections in 16 constituencies left vacant following the recall of 21 legislators by Zanu-PF and MDC-T.
At least 102 candidates successfully filed their nomination papers to contest in the 16 constituencies in different parts of the country.
In an interview, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission spokesperson Mr Justin Manyau, said the commission managed to deploy 510 presiding officers and 2 550 polling officers including the setting up of 16 command centres.
“The ballot papers and voters rolls are now at polling stations and all other election materials have also been distributed to all polling stations without any glitches as we have been provided with adequate transport secured from the CMED,” said Mr Manyau.
Mr Manyau said more than 330 observers had been accredited at ZEC headquarters in Harare by 2pm yesterday.
He said 13 local observer groups among them Zimrights, Zimbabwe Election Support Network, The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe, Election Resource Centre, Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and 43 foreign diplomats were also accredited to observe the elections.
He said sporadic skirmishes had been reported in Hurungwe West constituency and ZEC had requested the ZRP and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to investigate the incidents.
“The commission is ready to conduct the by-elections. Registered voters are encouraged to turn out in their numbers between 7am and 7pm to vote peacefully,” Mr Manyau said.
ZEC has printed 475 000 ballot papers for the 16 by-elections.
In Bulwayo, Lobengula constituency has been allocated 27 000 ballots, Luveve 29 800, Makokoba 30 300, Pelandaba-Mpopoma and Pumula 28 100, respectively.
In Harare, Dzivarasekwa has 26 200, Harare East 37 900, Highfiled West 24 500 and GlenView South 27 300.
In Manicaland, Headlands was allocated 33 300 and Dangamvura-Chikanga 43 100, while in Mashonaland West, Hurungwe West has been given 29 000 ballots.
Tsholotsho North in Matabeleland North has 31 900 ballots while in Midlands, Kwekwe constituency has 27 700 ballot papers.
The by-elections will see Zanu-PF, being challenged by independent candidates and others from parties like NCA, Transform Zimbabwe, Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe, ZAPU and Transform Zimbabwe.