By Paul Nyathi|THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) says it is now ready for Thursday nomination court ahead of the July 30 harmonised elections.
ZEC provincial elections officers from Matabeleland region said that the commission was all systems go.
The nomination court will open at 10.00 am and close at 4.00pm country wide.
In Bulawayo Metropolitan Province the nomination court for the National Assembly candidates will sit at the magistrate’s court at Tredgold Building.
Bulawayo provincial elections officer Mr Innocent Ncube said, “We are very much prepared. We’ve already processed quite a number of papers. Those whose papers have gone through can go to the court at 3.00pm while those who are yet to submit their forms can come at 10 am when we open.”
In Matabeleland North Province, Zec was by yesterday afternoon still setting up at Western Commonage Magistrate’s court for the National Assembly candidates.
Zec provincial election officer for Mat North Mr Mark Ndlovu said the commission had secured all local authorities chambers in the province as venues for the nominations courts for Local Government Candidates.
“We are in the process of setting up here at Western Commonage Court where the nomination court will sit for the National Assembly candidates.
“For local government we have secured all the respective local authority chambers in the province as the venues,” he said.
In Matabeleland South Province the nomination court for the National Assembly candidates will sit at Gwanda Magistrates’ Court.
Zec provincial election officer for Matabeleland South Mr Rabson Nyoni said the province was all set for tomorrow’s nomination court.
“All our basic equipment and material are in place. Our staff has been trained and as I speak we are now setting up for tomorrow. All the venues have been secured,” he said.
The nomination for the presidential candidates will be conducted at the High Court and this is the first time the process has been carried out at Mapondera Building.
In previous elections, nomination for presidential candidates was conducted at the Mashonganyika Building, which is under renovations.
One hundred and twelve political parties have so far notified the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of their intention to participate in the 2018 polls.
ZEC said even though more parties are registering daily they still have to go through a vetting process by the nomination court for them to be allowed to participate.
There seems to be a rush by many parties to register to participate in the 2018 harmonised polls as evidenced by the daily increase in numbers of new political parties which are now at 112.
ZEC chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba said the continued increase in number is not the measure of those going to participate given the rigorous vetting process done by the nomination court after the proclamation by the President.
“Parties register in their numbers usually because of the mistaken impression that they will be paid money for participating, but there is a process of vetting serious parties and candidates at the nomination court
The vetting includes the payment of $1 000 for aspiring presidential candidates and security clearance as convicted persons,” said Justice Chigumba.