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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
MDC-Alliance is challenging the outcome of the just-ended harmonised elections in three constituencies in Manicaland Province, with provincial chairman David Chimhini on the list of sore losers. Zanu-PF won 19 out of the 26 seats in Manicaland.

The opposition party is challenging results announced in Mutasa North where Zanu-PF’s Chido Madiwa Tsinakwadi garnered 11 913 votes ahead of Chimhini, who had 11 635 votes.

It is also querying results that came out in Chimanimani West where Nokuthula Matsikenyeri (Zanu-PF) got 10 757 ahead of MDC Alliance’s Canaan Matiashe’s 9 199.

In Mutare North, Godfrey Munyama (MDC-Alliance) is challenging the results where Zanu-PF provincial chairman Michael Madiro won the election.
Mr Madiro polled 6 511 votes ahead of Munyamana’s 3 962

“We need to have the results recounted (in Mutasa North) because there are two wards where questions were raised,” said Chimhini.

“We want to verify in those wards if what was on the results list is exactly the same with what was in the ballot boxes. We have polling stations like Muuya in Ward 9 and Murara where we want verification to be done.”

MDC-Alliance provincial spokesperson Mr Trevor Saruwaka said there were also indications that some candidates who lost in Mutasa Central in local authorities were also planning to officially challenge the results.

Mr Matiashe, who lost in Chimanimani West, said he had already filled his papers with the court and was waiting for a response.

“I filed my papers with the court and I am waiting for a response. Two days ago, all presiding officers were called to Nhedziwa command centre where the officials wanted to open the room where the ballot boxes were locked in. The officials were also saying they wanted agents to sign some papers where there were some mistakes,” he said.

Mr Matiashe said they had however instructed their agents not to go to Nhedziwa Command Centre.
Losing candidate in Mutare North, Mr Munyamana said he was also preparing his papers to challenge the results.
“I am working on the papers so that I file with the court,” he said.

Losing Zanu-PF candidate in Mutare Urban Ward 13 Wellington Zambezi has since written to his party’s provincial executive notifying them of his intention to contest the winning candidate.

He is accusing the MDC-Alliance candidate Monica Mukwada of fraudulently registering in Ward 13 where she is not a resident as required by electoral laws.

“Our client advises us that he intends to lodge an election petition against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) arising out of the outcome of the ended harmonised election.

“The main borne of contention, as advised by our client, being that the eventual victor, Monica Mukwada, does not reside in Ward 13 which is contrary to the requirements of the laws governing the conduct of the elections,” reads a letter addressed to Zanu-PF secretary for Administration Cde Kenneth Saruchera.

Zambezi alleges that Mukwada resides at No.1406 Chikanga Phase 2 in Ward 16.