In an urgent application in the Electoral Court on Wednesday, the Tendai Biti-led People’s Democratic Party (PDP) wants an order blocking the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) from posting ballot papers for the presidential election to applicants that have applied for postal voting.
PDP also wants ZEC to redesign the ballot paper in the manner prescribed by the law, where names of the candidates are listed in alphabetic order. In the application which cites ZEC and its chairperson Justice Priscilla Chigumba as respondents, PDP said the ballot paper is designed in a manner that gives unfair prominence to another candidate to the disadvantage of MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson Chamisa. Part of the application reads:
The ballot paper that is designed by the first respondent and is being distributed by the first respondent for the presidential elections is inconsistent with the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the electoral guidelines. The first and second respondents have not given contesting political parties and presidential candidates access to the ballot paper to allow them to participate effectively in the electoral process in contravention of Section 155(2)(c) of the Constitution.
ZEC is yet to respond to the urgent application that is yet to be given a date for hearing. Mr Tonderai Bhatasara of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights is representing PDP.
More: Herald
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