Divided over a name: MP by-elections leave Chamisa racing against time
The Nelson Chamisa led opposition has less than 20 days to come up with a name after President Emmerson Mnangagwa set the date for the National Assembly by-elections.
The nomination court will seat on January 26 at which point citizens will know which name the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC is going to assume.
This comes after Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court in 2020 handed the party name and assets to the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T.
Chamisa’s camp has in recent time shrugged off calls to rebrand and use a different name.
On being asked the name the party will use in the forthcoming by-elections, MDC spokesperson Fadzai Mahere could not provide a concrete response.
“At the appropriate time, we will set out our position to the people,” Mahere told Zim Morning Post.
The by-elections will be held to fill vacant posts that were created after several legislators were recalled from Parliament by the Mwonzora-led outfit.
Some observers believe the by-elections will be a battle between Mwonzora’s camp and Nelson Chamisa’s camp due to recalled Members of Parliament all hailing from opposition strongholds.
However, MDC treasurer General David Coltart said Chamisa’s camp comes into the fight facing heavy odds.
“Unfortunately it isn’t as straight forward as this because will not be on the ballot. Furthermore ZANU PF will make sure that its surrogate the MDC T is well funded and supported by the organs of State. The real battle is actually between MDC-T and Zanu PF”
