MDC Takes ZEC To Court Over "Rigged" Lupane By-Elections
Opposition MDC Secretary-General, Chalton Hwende has said that the party has instructed its lawyers to take the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to court over Lupane by-elections.
The MDC believes that the recently held by-elections were manipulated in favour of the ruling ZANU PF, therefore, a recount should be instituted to verify the final result.
On 5 August, the MDC wrote to ZEC seeking a recount but the application for a recount was turned down.
ZEC cited Section 67 A which requires that notice be given within 48 hours of the election result being declared and also demands that the party requesting the recount should specify the number of votes that it suspects to have been miscounted.
The MDC failed to meet the latter part of the requirements of Section 67 A.
Speaking after the recount application was turned down, Hwende said:
We have asked our lawyers to approach the courts on this matter. We will be able to give you further updates once all the matters have been presented before the courts.
The by-election was held on August 3 and results declared on August 4.
ZEC announced Mbongeni Dube of Zanu PF as the winner after attaining 6 369 votes. He was followed by MDC’s Khumalo who got 4 505 votes.
More: News Day
