Nelson Chamisa’s Presidential Challenge To Be Heard On 22 August

MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa’s petition at the Constitutional Court challenging the results of the presidential election will be heard on the 22nd of August 2018. The application will be heard at 10.00am.  Chamisa has been directed to file his answering affidavit and heads of argument by 12 noon on Saturday while President Mnangagwa has been given up to 10 am on Monday to file his heads of argument.  Chamisa has alleged that the results were manipulated by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to ensure that Mnangagwa wins. Zec declared that Mnangagwa won the election with 50.8 percent of the vote while Chamisa was said to have come second with 44.3 percent of the vote.

Chamisa’s spokesperson, Nkululeko Sibanda announced,

President Nelson Chamisa’s @nelsonchamisa court application to be heard on the 22nd of August 2018 at 10:00 am. The evidence is overwhelming and victory is certain. Numbers don’t lie, so the President-Elect @nelsonchamisa looks forward to this day.

President Nelson Chamisa's @nelsonchamisa court application to be heard on the 22nd of August 2018 at 10:00am. The evidence is overwhelming and victory is certain. Numbers don't lie, so the President-Elect @nelsonchamisa looks forward to this day.

— Citizen Nkululeko Sibanda zw (@DrNkuSibanda) August 16, 2018

Legal watchdog Veritas advises that the Constitutional Court can decide on the matter in the following ways:

• it can declare a winner, which means it can confirm ZEC’s declaration or declare Chamisa the winner
• it can invalidate the election, like what happened in Kenya, in which case a fresh election must be held within 60 days – note this probably means a new election rather than a run-off, or
• it can make any other order it considers just and appropriate.

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