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Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent—
Parliament yesterday completed interviews of 24 candidates eyeing to be Zimbabwe Electoral Commission commissioners, with 23 candidates battling it out for the six posts. One candidate, Mrs Theresa Mugadza a lawyer by profession, failed to turn up for the interview, with the interviewing process commencing two hours after its scheduled time. The panel appointed by Parliament’s Standing Rules and Orders Committee interviewed prospective commissioners who included academics, former ZEC commissioners, educationists, lawyers and a member of the clergy.

Only six names will be selected and President Mugabe is expected to appoint four women and two men for the posts.

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The interviewing panel was co-chaired by a sub-committee of SROC chaired by Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Cde Mabel Chinomona and Kuwadzana East legislator Mr Nelson Chamisa.

Academics who turned up for the interviews included University of Zimbabwe political science Professor Charity Manyeruke, Dr Hadebe Samukele, Dr Kundidzora Ngoni; teachers — Mr Silas Mangono and Mrs Roselyn Mangota, lawyer Mrs Rachel Chibaya and clergyman Bishop Chad Gandiya.

Former ZEC Commissioners, Mrs Joyce Kazembe, Dr Petty Makoni, Mrs Bessie Fadzai Nhandara and Mr Daniel Chigaru were also interviewed. Retired police Assistant Commissioner Joseph Matema and chartered secretary Mr Lovemore Kadenge also turned up for the interview.

Other shortlisted candidates included, Mrs Stembile Mpofu, Mrs Netsai Mushonga, Mrs Barbra Nyangairi, Mrs Thembelihle Nyathi, Mrs Faith Sebata, Mrs Roseline Zigomo and Mr Paul Sambo.

Some of the questions that were posed to the prospective commissioners were: “What constitutes democratic elections? How is the independence of ZEC commissioners ensured in terms of the Electoral Act, and four things that ZEC must achieve in a referendum?”

The Election Resource Centre director Mr Tawanda Chimhini applauded Parliament for the process, but said it was disturbing why the public was not interested in how these interviews are conducted because the public gallery was empty.