HARARE – Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party has announced that he will work closely with his deputy, Tendai Biti, despite Biti’s loss in the party selection process.

Chamisa stated that Biti would be assigned a significant role in the upcoming campaign for the August 23 elections, despite not contesting a constituency for the first time in 20 years. Biti appeared alongside Chamisa at the High Court in support of his presidential candidacy.

Chamisa clarified that the focus of their campaign would be presidential rather than parliamentary, as they aimed to form a government. He assured that Biti would hold an important position in that government.

Chamisa called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa to hand over power, stating that he saw no reason for Mnangagwa to participate in the election.

Some chaos was reported during the party’s nomination process, with instances of double nominations and stolen papers in certain constituencies. Chamisa attributed these incidents to rogue party members engaging in fraudulent activities. Despite these challenges, Chamisa stated that they had submitted the credentials of candidates for all constituencies and councils.

In Mashonaland West, candidates from Zanu PF, CCC, and several independents filed their nomination papers. Clashes among prospective candidates were reported in some districts.

Independent MP Temba Mliswa predicted that many independent candidates would be elected, providing an alternative voice in Parliament.

In Mashonaland Central, candidates expressed concerns about the slow and demanding nomination process, as well as the high nomination fees, which prevented some candidates from submitting their papers.

Some candidates, including Linda Masarira and Robert Chapman, could not raise the required fees and were unable to run for the presidency. Masarira criticized the nomination fee as discriminatory against the poor and a violation of constitutional rights.

Furthermore, EFFZ leader Innocent Ndibali Sibanda withdrew from the presidential race to support President Mnangagwa, citing the spirit of Pan-Africanism as the reason for his decision.