SYDNEY MUBAIWA
CHIVHU- Zanu-PF candidate for Chikomba West Ward 10, July 26 by- election Tafadzwa Mukandi has filed a petition to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) over the use of Nelson Chamisa’s face on campaign posters by his independent rival Tawanda Muchenje.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Amos Reza who was elected on Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) ticket.
Speaking during a recent multi- party liaison committee meeting Mukandi argued that his independent rival is misleading voters by using Chamisa’s image.
“Muchenje should use his own pictures on the posters. If he is truly an independent candidate, he should stop using Chamisa’s face on his campaign posters.
“His posters can mislead voters who would believe that he is aligned to Chamisa. He should not ride on the popularity of others,” he said.
He went on question the electoral body on what it means when one becomes an independent candidate.
“I seek to get an understanding from ZEC on what it means when one becomes an independent candidate.
“Can we move around claiming to be independent candidates whilst we are using pictures of other well-known people on our posters?
“I think this whole issue might confuse the electorate. I am a Zanu PF candidate and I use the party logos and regalia not another party’s logo. Muchenje should do the same,” he said.
In his response, Muchenje said the electoral body was not objecting his campaign posters adding that only those with pictures on his campaign material should complain.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission ( ZEC) Chikomba District Elections Officer Todd Chibengwa told The Midweek Watch that there hasn’t been any formal complaint raised with regards to the issue.
He said the electoral body does not regulate the campaign content used by candidates.
A number of independent candidates who are aligned with the Citizens Coalition for Change have continued using Chamisa’s face on their posters despite the party belonging to Sengezo Tshabangu.
In the 2023 general elections, Mukandi lost to the late Reza. He won the seat in the 2022 March by-election.
