All eyes on CCC candidate selection

Grace Moyo

As it gears for the fast-approaching harmonised elections, Citizens Coalition for Change will conduct an unprecedented  community candidate selection process starts on the 5th of April. 

The party announced that all positions from Presidency to councillors will be up for grabs. 

However, it remains to be seen whether the chosen candidate selection process will be a success.

Party Elections Officer Ian Makone said the process is going to be presided over by an Independent Candidate Selection Panel (ICSP).

“The selection process will be conducted by an ICSP and community members who have signed into the party’s database will be consulted to nominate their preferred representatives. If there are more than one nominee  for a position, there will be a process of consultation in the community, followed by a second round for the community to arrive at a single candidate for the position,” said Makone.

Sihle Dube, a CCC member in Dete expressed optimism at the process.

“I think the party has chosen the best possible path at candidate selection because it is the communities who know best and they will choose suitable candidates. No candidates will be imposed in this process that gives power to us, the grassroots,” she said.

Another member who spoke on condition of anonymity said the success or lack thereof of the candidate selection process is hinged on transparency. He called on party leadership not to compromise the wishes of the people.

“I hope everything will be done above board. If our leaders can ensure transparency and not take for granted the wishes and aspirations of members, then everything will be fine. 

However, past experiences have shown that such processes can be hijacked to impose candidates and that is what we will not accept. People should be allowed to choose their representatives without interference.”

Hwange Central MP, Daniel Molokele will lock horns with Cosmos Kaboloma Ndlovu in a hot contest that could go either way.

An upbeat Ndlovu confirmed his interest to Community Podium

“I can confirm my interest in this year’s election, I’m ready to challenge Daniel Molokele and  ZANU PF in the harmonised election should I pass the internal selection,” confirmed  Ndlovu.

Both men already know who they will face should they succeed at party level. Reeds Dube won the Zanu PF primaries and the right to contest the opposition for the Hwange Central parliamentary seat. He will be watching this CCC internal battle with keen interest.

Speaking on CITE’s Twitter Space, This Morning on Asakhe, CCC Deputy Spokesperson, Gift Ostallos Siziba said the candidate selection criteria is not a witch-hunt to get rid of currently serving MPs and councillors, but will be an opportunity for members to rate their leaders’ performance.  

“The quest for new leadership with capacity does not mean there were people without capacity among current MPs and local authorities. There are people who have served well and it is on that basis on which people will make their choices,” said Siziba.

Siziba moved to allay fears of candidate imposition by stressing that candidates will come from the people.

“There will be no hand picking of anyone. Candidates will be selected and elected by ordinary people in the 2 000 wards. The process will begin with nominations by ordinary people, saying so and so can be the MP, so and so can be president.

From there, the community proceeds to nominate senators and representatives who will be in the Youth Quota and those under Proportional Representation. At the end of day, we want something that comes from the people so they can vote if someone comes from them,” said Siziba.

CCC’s chosen community candidate selection is a depature from the traditional primary elections that the ruling  Zanu PF still employs.