Zanu PF Wins 53 Seats Countrywide Unopposed - Takes Massive Lead Before Elections Even Take Place!

In a surprising turn of events, Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, has secured a massive lead in the upcoming elections by winning 53 council seats countrywide unopposed.

This news has caused quite a stir in the political landscape, as opposition parties failed to field candidates in these constituencies, giving Zanu PF a clear advantage.

Zanu PF’s Dominance:

Zanu PF’s victory in 53 council seats countrywide without facing any opposition is a significant achievement for the ruling party.

This result highlights the lack of strong opposition presence in these constituencies and raises questions about the effectiveness of opposition parties in mobilizing their supporters and fielding candidates.

Zanu PF Wins 53 Seats Countrywide Unopposed - Takes Massive Lead Before Elections Even Take Place!

According to the party’s political commissar, Mike Bimha, this outcome is a testament to the strength and popularity of Zanu PF.

Implications for the Elections

The fact that Zanu PF has already secured a significant number of council seats without any opposition challenge has implications for the upcoming elections. It gives the ruling party a head start and may discourage potential opposition voters from participating, as they might perceive the outcome as predetermined. This could potentially lead to a lower voter turnout and impact the overall legitimacy of the elections.

Reactions from Opposition Parties

The absence of opposition candidates in these 53 constituencies has sparked criticism and disappointment from opposition parties. Mduduzi Mathuthu, a prominent commentator and editor of the online publication Zimlive, expressed his disappointment in a tweet, stating that the opposition party, CCC, should have fielded candidates to prevent Zanu PF from winning seats unopposed.

Zanu PF’s victory in 53 council seats countrywide without any opposition challenge has raised concerns about the fairness and competitiveness of the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe. While the ruling party celebrates this significant lead, opposition parties and experts in African politics express disappointment and call for a more robust opposition presence in future elections.

The implications of this development on voter turnout and the overall legitimacy of the elections remain to be seen.

Zimbabwe: Will Saviour Kasukuwere take votes from Zanu-PF?

A new entrant in Zimbabwe’s August 2023 presidential race could result in division of the ruling party vote, according to political analysts.

Presidential aspirants, including Lovemore Madhuku (party leader of the National Constitutional Assembly); Trust Chikhora (Coalition for Democrats chief); Douglas Mwonzora (head of the MDC) and Saviour Kasukuwere (an independent candidate) filed their papers Wednesday at the Nomination Court, according to local media.

Essentially, Zimbabwe’s polls will be a Zanu-PF versus opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) affair, who both filed their papers on Tuesday.

However, the entry of Kasukuwere might precipitate a presidential run-off, Methuseli Moyo, a political analyst, tells The Africa Report.

Kasukuwere served as a local government minister as well as youth, indigenisation and empowerment minister in the late President Robert Mugabe’s government. Kasukuwere was also the Zanu-PF’s political commissar, a top party organising post.