Opposition MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa, has told his supporters to “get ready for victory” as the nation gears for the March 26, 2022, by-elections.
The polls are meant to fill 117 local authorities and 28 National Assembly seats most of which became vacant following recalls of MDC-Alliance members by rival MDC-T in the aftermath of a Supreme Court ruling that said Chamisa illegally assumed the leadership of the opposition party.
Polling in other areas has been necessitated by the death of MPs and councillors.
In a Twitter post this Friday, Chamisa, a former Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, indicated that the party shall not prematurely disclose its plans. He said:
GET READY FOR VICTORY… We have heard you. We listened and it shall be done as per your command and demand. Timing & strategy is everything. THE NEW WAY. THE NEW WAVE. It’s time for CHANGE. Let’s teach them a lesson. You’re the game changers and we’re unstoppable.#ChoosetheNew
Chamisa’s remarks come after Law expert Alex Tawanda Magaisa had urged the opposition party to participate in the polls saying the electorate was angry over the recalls of MDC Alliance officials and, therefore, had a “message to deliver.”
Meanwhile, ruling ZANU PF leader, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is confident that his party shall prevail in the election. He said in November last year:
We are going to have by-elections in 2022 and tinovasvasvanga (we will trounce them). In 2023, we will then have general elections tovarakasha (we will beat them).
Political analysts say the by-elections will likely be a shadow of the 2023 harmonised elections.