The opposition MDC-T led by Senator Douglas Mwonzora has made a U-turn on participation in by-elections.
Following poor performance during the 26 March by-elections, MDC-T resolved not to partake in any by-elections choosing to wait for the 2023 elections.
The party’s National Chairperson, Morgen Komichi, however, said the party will field candidates in forthcoming local authority by-elections after having a relook at the earlier position, he told NewZimbabwe.com in a recent interview.
He speaks as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) last week announced that the nomination court will receive nomination papers for Binga, Victoria Falls and Gweru by-elections on November 3, while polling will be held on December 3.
Komichi, also known as Baba Abrahama in political circles, says they will participate this time. He said:
This time around we are going to take part in the upcoming by-elections. We have already identified through consensus our candidates. We are urging Zimbabweans to vote for the MDC-T.
Our party is the only political party which can bring real change in Zimbabwe. Our people have suffered a lot under ZANU PF.
In Binga, the by-elections will be held in Wards 6, 8, 10, 15, 20 and 23 while in Gweru the elections are set for Wards 4, 5 and 18. In Victoria Falls, Ward 8 will have by-elections.
The posts arose mostly as a result of recalls of incumbent councillors and Members of Parliament (MPs) by the MDC-T.