The opposition MDC led by advocate Nelson Chamisa won the Chegutu Ward 2 by-election that was held on Saturday.
The MDC candidate Mr Machekera attained 240 while the ZANU PF candidate Mr Prosper Mtongerwa garnered 184.
The variance almost mirrors the gap that differentiated the MDC and ZANU PF candidates in 2018. In the 2018 harmonised election, Zanu PF attained 228 votes against MDC-Alliance’s 416 votes.
Mtongerwa’s chief election agent Elijah Jabangwe said that the ruling party accepted the outcome but was not happy with the voter turnout as the total number of votes cast was less than the total number of those registered to vote.
Jabangwe recommended voter education for the electorate to know the importance of voting. Meanwhile, ZANU PF Central Committee member Webster Shamu said that there was great potential in the ward. He added:
What is more important is to have viable, authentic and effective party structures; this should guarantee a win for us. If we work hard as a party I am sure we will have a landslide victory come 2023.
While the MDC’s Mr Machekera described the elections as free and fair the party and other stakeholders have been calling for electoral reforms.
More: The Herald