By A Correspondent|The Gwanda Residents Association on Thursday held a historic “Meet The Candidates” public meeting where it paraded rival council candidates to present their election manifestos to the electorate.

Funded by the Women’s Institute for Leadership Development Trust, the historic session saw four candidates from Mthwakazi Republic Party, Welshman Ncube led MDC, Nelson Chamisa led MDC-T and ZANU PF square up in a hot but very harmonious debate.

The Candidates all contesting in Ward 4 of Gwanda Central Constituency were given time to present their manifestos before members of the public took time to question them on their electoral promises.

Prior to the candidates presentations, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commissioner Daniel Chigaru presented the provisions of the new Electoral Act and the Code of Conduct for the elections.

Residents of the town expressed appreciation in having the series of meetings that the Residents Association will take to all the wards in the town.

“This is very historic and shows maturity in our democracy under the new dispensation,” said Ms Sikhathele Sibanda in an interview after the meeting.

“We really wish that we could see the same being done at higher levels such as President and Parliamentary candidates,” she said.

Addressing the meeting, the chairman of Gwanda Residents Association Mr Amos Phiri said that the aim of the meetings is to facilitate for a peaceful election set for July 30 this year.

“These meetings are being done to unite us as a community and present peaceful elections in our town,” he said.

Commissioner Chigaru congratulated Gwanda Residents Association for holding the historic gathering and hoped that the same could be done throughout the country.