Zec summons Mangoma over party symbol

THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has summoned opposition Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) leader Elton Mangoma to provide another party symbol after it initially presented the image of a flying eagle as its official symbol.

Source: Zec summons Mangoma over party symbol – NewsDay Zimbabwe June 21, 2016

BY OBEY MANAYITI

Zec, which argues that the eagle was a national symbol and could not be used by any political party, last Friday summoned Mangoma to its headquarters to provide an alternative symbol ahead of the July 23 Mazowe North by-election.

“The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission is requesting you to report to our head office polling and training department in connection with the symbol used by your candidate in the Mazowe North by-election to be held on July 23, 2016,” the letter to Mangoma signed by Zec chief election officer Constance Chigwamba reads.

“In this regard your office is to assist by adhering to the above request as a matter of urgency and no later than June 17, 2016 so that the process of ballot printing is not delayed,” the letter added.

Chigwamba claimed that efforts to meet the RDZ Mazowe North candidate Elias Malukula had failed, hence, the decision to summon Mangoma in his capacity as party leader.

Mangoma confirmed the development yesterday and told NewsDay he had sent party director-general to meet the electoral body.

“Our director-general Wilson Box went there on Friday and was told they wanted to talk about our logo,” Mangoma said.

“He told them that as a party, we registered the logo with Zec and so far has contested three by-elections without any problems. He questioned why they are doing it now,”he said.

Mangoma described the move as intimidation aimed at justifying plans to disqualify their candidate.

But Zec chairperson, Rita Makarau yesterday insisted that the symbol that RDZ adopted was illegal.

“They are using an eagle, but it is prohibited to use it as a symbol. It is a national symbol in terms of national regulations,” she said.

Maluluka, who recently claimed intimidation by Zanu PF supporters, will face Mashonaland Central Provincial Affairs minister Martin Dinha in the by-elections.