MDC factions submit candidates for Budiriro election

MDC factions submit candidates for Budiriro election

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By Lebo Nkatazo

THE two feuding factions of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) will submit names of their candidates for the Budiriro by-election on Friday, offficials said.

The nomination court for the parliamentary by-election will be taking candidates' names on Friday, and the contest is likely to be between Zanu PF and the two MDC factions.

Nelson Chamisa, the spokesman for a faction led by the MDC's founder leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, said Wednesday that they would be fielding Emmanuel Chisvuure as their candidate.

Chisvuure is a former information and publicity youth secretary in Budiriro. Chamisa rejects suggestions that the confusion within the party could split the vote and favour the Zanu PF candidate.

He said: "There is no issue of splitting the vote as there is one MDC. Our supporters also know that there is only one MDC."

The other faction of the party led by former NASA rocket scientist Professor Arthur Mutambara was expected to release the name of its candidate late Thursday following a meeting of the national executive.

However, New Zimbabwe.com understands that Gabriel Chaibva is likely to be the candidate.

The two MDC factions are smarting from defeats in the Chegutu mayoral polls and ward elections in Bulawayo at the hands of Zanu PF.
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