With less than two months to go before the August 23 general elections, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has adopted a ward-to-ward campaign approach. This involves CCC representatives visiting each ward in their constituencies to engage with residents, understand their concerns, and discuss potential solutions.
A senior official of CCC, Felix Mafa, stated that the approach would provide the opposition party with a nuanced understanding of the issues faced by different communities, enabling them to tailor the party’s policies accordingly. Mafa said:
We believe in the power of local communities and the importance of understanding their unique challenges and opportunities. Our ward-to-ward campaign strategy is a reflection of this belief.
We want to ensure that every voice is heard and that our policies reflect the needs and aspirations of the people we serve. We are confident that our ward-to-ward campaign will enable us to build connections with our constituents and deliver policies that reflect their needs and aspirations.
Kuwadzana East legislator, Chalton Hwende, stated that the move was also aimed at drumming up support for the opposition. Hwende said:
Just finished our door-to-door exercise in Kuwadzana East. We visited over 200 households. Our target is to ensure that we visit every household in the constituency so that we allow every potential voter to meet face-to-face with our candidates.
Some Political analysts believe that the ward-to-ward campaign could potentially strengthen CCC’s position in the upcoming elections by focusing on local issues and engaging directly with voters, building stronger relationships with communities, and gaining a better understanding of the issues that matter most to them. CCC leader, Nelson Chamisa, has also been on a whirlwind countrywide tour, meeting cluster leaders in rural areas.
This approach comes as the party’s national campaign launch which was scheduled for the 9th of July in Bindura was not sanctioned by police over the CCC’s alleged failure to meet minimum requirements.