March 31, 2003

ZESN Press Statement

KUWADZANA AND HIGHFIELD BY-ELECTIONS RESULT STATEMENT

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) deplores the violence that erupted in Highfield after the announcement of the election results. The Movement for Democratic Change’s (MDC) Mr Pearson Mungofa won the election with 8 759 votes beating his main rival Mr Joseph Chinotimba of the ruling ZANU PF party who polled 4 844 votes. Mr. Chinotimba indicated that he is not accepting the results. In the same constituency, the African National Party (ANP) got 272 votes, Munyaradzi Gwisai (independent) got 73 votes, United Parties (UP) polled 34 votes and Zimbabwe Democratic Party (ZDP) got 8 votes.There were 138 spoilt papers.

In Kuwadzana MDC’s Mr Nelson Chamisa won the seat by 12 548 votes against his main rival Mr David Mutasa of ZANU PF who polled 5002 votes while the National Alliance for Good Governance (NAGG) polled 82 votes and UP 12 votes. Fifty papers were spoilt. We welcome the calm reception of the results in this constituency.

We note with concern however, the pre-poll violence, intimidation and visible vote buying that characterised these by-elections. ZESN urges Zimbabweans to rise above petty differences and to remain calm and peaceful. As we again look forward to by-elections in Harare Central, Zengeza and Makonde constituencies, ZESN urges all involved parties to desist from the practices of violence, vote buying and intimidation that were witnessed in these, and other elections.

ZESN also encourages Zimbabweans to desist from voter apathy and continue to exercise their constitutional and democratic right to elect their leaders.

ENDS

_____________________________________________________________________________

Ellen Kandororo
Information Officer
Media and Communication Programme
Zimbabwe Election Support Network [ZESN]
1082 Western Close
Greendale
Harare

Tel/Fax: 263 4 480148/9/498554
E-mail: [email protected]

Website:www.zesn.org.zw