Memory Mudzani
On 8 August 2023 Zimbabwe presidential aspirant, Douglas Mwonzora of the Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai (MDC-T) announced his withdrawal from 23 August 2023 general election but his name remained on the presidential ballot for 2023 since he missed the 21-day deadline for candidates to pull out of the race.
According to Zimfact report a local state media quoted the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) stating that Mwonzora’s name would remain on the presidential ballot for 2023 since he missed the 21-day deadline for candidates to pull out of the race.
Section 107 subsection 1 and 2 of the Electoral Act states that a nominated candidate for election as President may, by notice in writing addressed to the Chief Elections Officer, withdraw his or her candidature at any time before twenty-one days from the day, on which the poll in an election to the office of President is to be taken and on receipt of a notice of withdrawal in terms of subsection (1), the Chief Elections Officer shall cause the withdrawal to be published in the Gazette and in all newspapers of mass circulation in Zimbabwe.
Zimfact noted that in light on the provision of the Electoral Act, it is too late for ZEC to remove Mwonzora from the ballot and any votes cast for a candidate who has withdrawn will be considered as spoilt ballots.
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