Election tensions are simmering in Zimbabwe, where the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is accusing the ruling Zanu-PF of planting “ghost” MP candidates to split votes.
The CCC says the governing party has placed additional MP and municipal council candidates under the CCC banner in more than 20 constituencies around the country.
Zimbabwe is set to hold its presidential, parliamentary and council elections on August 23.
Late last month, more than 4,000 candidates from different parties filed papers with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) at nomination courts countrywide.
The CCC was surprised to learn that it had two candidates registered in constituencies in Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo and Kariba, who will compete against each other and split the opposition vote.
“We noted that the people who had been fielded in most parts are completely foreign to the CCC,” said the party’s spokesperson, Fadzai Mahere.
“We went to the ZEC to inspect the forms. The first thing that our legal security and political teams established is that the signatures that were there were forged. They don't belong to the people the form said [they] corresponded to. The [party’s] logo had been photocopied. That was clear forgery.
“We blame the Zanu-PF. Some of the characters who are listed as double candidates are affiliated or connected to Zanu-PF,” she said.
Mahere said none of the “ghost” candidates had withdrawn from the elections and the party would approach the courts to have them removed.
“Some say they don't even know who paid for them and who submitted their particulars and forms. But our legal team is ensuring there will be no double candidates,” she said.
One of the “ghost” candidates, Freddy Masarirevu, told the Sunday Times he is a CCC member, but was shocked to find his name on the list of aspiring MPs contesting a seat in Chitungwiza, Harare province.
“I did not file any nomination papers. I did not submit my particulars to anyone other than the party. Now the problem is that I cannot withdraw from the ZEC something that I did not file,” he said, adding that those who submitted an application in his name should withdraw it.
However, Zanu-PF said the CCC should stop blaming it for the coalition's mistakes.
“They cannot blame anyone for the confusion they brought among themselves. For example, if you look at the two [parliamentary] candidates that are in Marondera town, both are members of the CCC and one wonders where Zanu-PF comes in,” said party spokesperson Kennedy Mandaza.
The ZEC’s deputy chair, Rodney Kiwa, said the commission had advised the CCC to approach the electoral court.
The run-up to the elections has been marked by a crackdown on opposition parties. The CCC’s leader, Nelson Chamisa, is going head-to-head with Zanu-PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa in what is expected to be a close race.
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