December 9 by-election preps in full swing: ZEC

**ZEC deputy chairperson, Ambassador Rodney Kiwa, centre**

Zim Now Writer

Preparations for the December 9 National Assembly by-elections are well on course, a senior elections official has said.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission deputy chairperson, Ambassador Rodney Kiwa confirmed that the preparations are at an advanced stage.

“Preparations of the December 9 elections are now at an advanced stage and ZEC has now released the preliminary list of polling stations. We are adequately prepared for the elections,” said Ambassador Kiwa.

Polling is expected to take place on Saturday December 9, from 7am-7pm.

ZEC has already announced the list of duly nominated candidates for election to the National Assembly.

In all, but one of the nine constituencies, and all eight in the three western provinces, CCC has nominated two candidates.

In Lobengula-Magwegwe, Zanu PF will be represented by Menziwa Dube, while the CCC has split its support by fielding double candidates, Eric Gono and Tendai Chitura Nyathi.

In Bulawayo South, Raj Modi will represent Zanu PF, while CCC will be represented again by two candidates, James Sithole and Nicola Jane Watson.

In Cowdray Park constituency, Zanu PF will be represented by Aurther Mujeyi, while CCC will be represented by double candidates, Vusimuzi Chirwa and Pashor Raphael Sibanda.

In Mpopoma-Mzilikazi, Zanu PF candidate Dzingai Kamamba faces twin CCC candidates Desmond Makaza and Charles Moyo plus Blessings Sibanda and independent candidate Pardon Tapfumaneyi.

In Nketa constituency, Zanu PF candidate Albert Tawanda Mavunga will battle it out with Luckmore Gwetu of DOP, and the typical twosome from CCC, Obert Manduna and Ambrose Sibindi.

Zanu PF candidate Chineke Muchimba will contest CCC candidates Dubeko Prince Sibanda and Judith Sibanda in Binga North.

In Lupane East constituency Zanu PF candidate Phathisiwe Machangu will battle it out with Davis Nyathi and Bright Vanya Moyo of CCC.

Thusani Ndou of Zanu-PF will contest in Beitbridge West with Blessing Choeni and Morgan Ncube of CCC, Blessing Brendan Dube (Independent) and Thoriso Moyo of Zapu.

Mabvuku-Tafara in Harare sees the only straight fight, Pedzai Sakupwanya of Zanu PF will battle it out with CCC candidate Munyaradzi Febion Kufahakutizwi.

Last week, ZEC gazetted 513 preliminary polling stations that will be used in the December 9 by-elections.

The final list of polling stations will be published on polling day.

The December 9 by elections were precipitated by the recall of 14 legislators, including six elected through proportional representation, as well as nine senators and 17 councillors by politician Sengezo Tshabangu last month.

In terms of the law, by-elections to fill the vacant constituency seats must be held within 90 days of declaration of the vacancies with the same timeline for parties to nominate replacements for proportional representation or Senate vacancies.