Political Reporter

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) aspiring candidates are at loggerheads with their leader, Nelson Chamisa over the tough conditions he set for one to represent that party in the forthcoming elections.

CCC members who spoke to this publication said that the majority of that party’s aspiring candidates were not in agreement with the contents of the document, ‘Citizens And Community Consensus Candidate Selection Procedures’ as it bars those with little education to represent CCC in the coming elections.

Chamisa directed that parliamentary candidates should be able to read and interpret legislation and national policies, while council candidates must have the ability to read and interpret council legislation, administrative by-laws, and policies.

“We can’t be all lawyers so that we are able to interpret policies and other administrative by-laws. A member who is popular in that ward or constituency must be allowed to contest on behalf of CCC. It’s like Chamisa is planning to side-line those with little education from the party,” said one disgruntled CCC member who preferred anonymity.

Another CCC member said that Chamisa should scratch off the literacy requirements as that would make the party lose the support of people with limited academic qualifications.

The same member said that CCC should hold primary elections just like what ZANU PF did and allow the communities to choose their preferred representative.

“We should conduct primary elections just like what ZANU PF did. It would afford the communities a chance to democratically choose their preferred representatives. This issue of setting tough conditions for one to contest on behalf of the party would make us lose supporters or end up fielding weak candidates,” said the CCC member.

Meanwhile, ZANU PF held its primary elections over the weekend and the results are still waiting for Politburo’s endorsement before they could be officially announced.