Trouble in CCC cockpit

Trouble in CCC cockpit

 

· as Chamisa disempowers Biti, Ncube, Sikhala

 

Staff Writer

 

It is becoming increasingly clear that Nelson Chamisa`s Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) is a one man band in which every major decision is taken by him alone.

 

Despite attempts to deny that the party is centred around the political leader nicknamed Cobra by senior officials, the evidence is suggesting otherwise.

 

Events at the CCC White City rally in Bulawayo confirmed what many other people had feared, that the 44-year-old wants his opinion to carry the day at all times.

 

Following the double candidate chaos which emerged in the novice party as it tried to choose its candidates for the March 26 polls, Chamisa said he will be the only one signing nomination papers for candidates.

 

He made the announcement during his White City rally.

 

This disempowers contemporaries like Tendai Biti, Welshman Ncube and Job Sikhala who until the announcement had rights to sign nomination papers.

 

“To make sure there are no double candidates, I will from now be the one who signs nomination papers for all CCC candidates,” said Chamisa.

 

The move has been questioned by analysts, who have described the decision as a lack of administrative foresight.

 

Political Scientist, Professor Jonathan Moyo said;

 

“Plus his nomination papers as presidential candidate, Nelson Chamisa will sign for 280 MPs, 210 constituency, 60 proportional representation women and 10 proportional representation youths, 80 senators, 60 proportional representation candidates plus 18 chiefs, plus 2 persons with disabilities, 110 provincial councilors, 1958 ward councilors making a total of 2248 candidates!

 

NB: The Electoral Act provides for two signatories to countersign nomination papers for election candidates sponsored by, or representing political parties.”

 

“Political upstarts will not and cannot understand the logistics of counter-signing nomination papers for 2242 electoral candidates across the country for representation to 10 nomination courts at the same time. It ain`t just a paper and pencil exercise,” said Professor Moyo.

 

Chamisa has been showing undemocratic tendencies in this by-election cycle, his party did not hold primary elections and all candidates were handpicked by him.

Now he has turned a notch higher as he wants to be the only person who can sign nomination papers.