CCC candidates selection kicks off; provinces endorse Chamisa for presidency
By Dumisani Ndlovu
Zimbabwe’s biggest Opposition political party, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) on Wednesday commenced its candidate selection process with almost all provinces and senior members of the party endorsing Nelson Chamisa as the preferred presidential candidate for this year’s elections.
CCC yesterday selected candidates to represent the party for presidency, senate, parliament, council, youth and women’s quota.
The opposition party has dropped the traditional primary elections to select its candidates preferring what they have termed ‘citizens consensuses’.
According to the opposition party the new way is designed to curb infiltration.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of Mbare selection process, deputy spokesperson Ostallos expressed satisfaction on the manner on which elections were conducted throughout the country.
“As you can see, the process is being conducted by an independent panel, citizens are happy and ready to choose their preferred candidates. The panel is drawn out of competent individuals in communities, in civic spaces, political movements and so forth,” Siziba said.
An independent selection panel oversaw the candidate selection process. It is led by human rights defender (HRD) Rashid Mahiya and made up of HRDs, Civic Society Organisation (CSOs) members and residents’ leaders Vivid Gwede, Sthabile Dewa, Sebastian Bakare, Thandiwe Chakanetsa, Praise Moyo, Rodreck Fayayo, Innocent Sibanda, Sikhalo Cele, Tawanda Moyo, Ephraim Mthombeni, Amanda Ndebele and Shepard Ngandu
Although some political scientists have raised concerns over the selection saying it has its consequences in the nomination stages, Siziba said the process was held in a transparent manner representing the interests of communities.
“We have set a robust and transparent process that ensures that only the best candidates will represent us as presidential candidates, senators, and members of parliament, councillors, proportional representatives and young people. We have deployed our technical teams and leaders to different parts of the country.
“The centre of this consensus candidate selection is our rhythm that is about putting citizens back at the centre. So we make the emphasis because we believe that our processes must be reflective of the collective will of citizens in different parts of the country,” added Siziba.
Chamisa will likely sail through the nomination process uncontested giving him a second chance to contest against Zanu PF’s candidate President Emmerson Mnangagwa. This is evidenced by his endorsement by senior CCC leaders like the party’s interim deputy president Tendai Biti and results coming from various constituencies Kwedu News visited.
Kwedu Classics
Your story our story 