Paul Nyathi|Failure to conclude primary elections forced the MDC Alliance to field two candidates at the Nomination Court for Bulawayo Ward 28 election on Friday.

The election is set for March 30.

Eighteen candidates successfully lodged their papers at the Nomination Court which sat at the council chambers, with Zanu-PF fielding Kidwell Mujuru while the MDC Alliance fielded two candidates Alderman Collet Ndhlovu and Ms Nomagugu Mloyi.

Other candidates include Mejury Dube from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Gumpo Flora of MDC-T, Albert Mashayanyika of the National Constitutional Assembly, Polite Ncube of ZEFF, Nokuthula Ndlovu of Zapu, Nicholas Ngwenya of ZIPP, Nkosikhona Nyoni of MRP, Buhle Nzima of NPF and six independent candidates.

The seat fell vacant following the death in December last year of MDC Alliance councillor Happyson Ncube who had defeated Ald Ndlovu in primary polls before emerging victorious in the July 30 general elections.

Both MDC Alliance candidates could not be reached for comment.

State Media reports indicate that national spokesperson Jacob Mafume said that the party faced challenges regarding election material resulting in it shelving the holding of primary elections. He said they will hold a primary election pitting Ald Ndhlovu and Ms Mloyi within seven days to come up with one candidate.

Mafume said the losing candidate will withdraw his or her name from the race as the law allows that for as long as it is done within seven days after the sitting of the Nomination Court.

“There is a deadline for Nomination Court but as you know a primary election can be held after the Nomination Court sitting. We have a contingency plan to deal with people who might not be satisfied with what would have happened. It will be sorted within seven days. The party allowed the candidates who fielded to field their names,” he said.