MDC Chides ZEC As Mwonzora Remains On The Ballot

Zimbabwean News You Can Trust

The Douglas Mwonzora led MDC party has castigated the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) after the electoral body issued a statement stating that Mwonzora would remain a Presidential candidate in the upcoming August 23, 2023 general elections.

The Electoral mother body said that candidates had to notify it 21 days before elections.

However, in a statement the MDC said ZEC was “punishing their party” because they challenged the irregularities of the delimitation report, adding it was illegal for ZEC to have concluded the printing of the ballot papers because of pending court cases.

The MDC also outlined reasons why Mwonzora withdrew from the presidential election.

“The impression here is that the ballot paper has already been printed. How can that be, when the case of a presidential candidate, Savior Kasukuwere was still pending in the courts? We are boycotting the election because ZEC unfairly disqualified 87 of our parliamentary candidates. Furthermore, there has been selective application of the law by the MDC.

“In cases to do with rights of candidates to participate, ZEC has always acted in favor of candidates participating. However, it has acted differently in cases involving the MDC candidates. This is a matter of historical record. The MDC accepts this discrimination by an election management body.

“What is clear is that ZEC is punishing the MDC for having challenged the delimitation report. It is insisting on our candidate to remain in the race, because they have prematurely printed ballot papers and they know it is illegal. The MDC can never agree to be part of a farce and a sham that this election has turned out to be,” reads the statement.

Mwonzora announced his withdrawal from the August 23, 2023 general elections on Tuesday, accusing ZEC and the ruling Zanu Pf of targeting and frustrating his party. Mwonzora also said the electoral playing field was far from conducive to hold free and fair elections.

Currently, the MDC is waiting for the police approval to peacefully demonstrate on August 17, demanding electoral reforms in Zimbabwe.