Election observers invited to apply for forthcoming by-elections

Zimbabwe's Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) has invited election observers to apply for accreditation ahead of this month's by-elections in the vacant Harare constituencies of Kuwadzana and Highfield. Kuwadzana fell vacant on the death in custody of Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) member of parliament Learnmore Jongwe, who was awaiting trial in connection with the murder of his wife. The Highfield by-election follows the expulsion from the MDC of Munyaradzi Gwisai. Both seats are seen as crucial for the MDC who have lost a string of recent by-elections to the ruling ZANU-PF, and could inch ZANU-PF closer to the two-thirds majority required to make constitutional amendments. ESC spokesman Thomas Bvuma told IRIN that to observe the 29 and 30 March elections, applicants needed to supply a letter of authority from the justice minister's office and pay a Zim $1,000 (US $18) registration fee. Only Zimbabwean citizens would qualify. Bvuma said observers were usually members of NGOs, interested parties, and eminent local people. Applications will be open until 27 March. The four candidates who had registered for the Kuwadzana seat are: Nelson Chamisa (MDC), Kimpton Chiwewete of the National Alliance for Good Governance (NAGG), Aaron Mandela of the United Party (UP) and David Mutasa of the ruling ZANU-PF. The seven candidates registered for Highfield are: Everasto Chidhakwa (NAGG), Joseph Chinotimba (ZANU-PF), Egypt Dzimemumhenzva (African National Patriots), the expelled Gwisai, who will stand as an independent, Philip Kalongonda of the Zimbabwe People's Democratic Party, Alphious Mapuranga of the UP and Pearson Mungofa of the MDC. Security is expected to be tight for the elections after two separate clashes between MDC and ZANU-PF supporters in Kuwadzana in the last two months.