Analysts said the CCC hypocrisy stinks to high heavens as
their leader cannot concede defeat in the Presidential elections while the
party’s winning councillors and legislators gleefully make a beeline to take
their oaths of office.
Political and legal analysts have noted that the party
found itself in an electoral fix and quandary on how to reconcile allegations of
rigging on one hand and the fact that they won in some constituencies and
wards.
This, according to analysts, has left the CCC at sixes and
sevens as either decision to attend or not will result in backlashes given the
position they took.
Analysts have noted that by attending today’s swearing-in
ceremony, it will rubbish their rigging narrative and ridicule their claims
that the process was flawed thereby legitimising the electoral outcome.
Failure to attend, said analysts, would amount to political
suicide in that they will lose benefits that go with being a legislator such as
parliamentary vehicles, allowances and the party will lose out on the Political
Parties Finance Act which will ultimately result in by-elections.
Political analyst, Mr Gibson Nyikadzino, said the CCC had
no option but to attend the swearing-in ceremony.
“There are political and legal risks associated with the
failure of the CCC to adhere to the results announced by ZEC. The political
risk is that by failing to be sworn-in, they would have renounced their
representative right to the people, hence that will mean there will be a vacuum
to be filled through by-elections. So practically, they are taking citizens for
granted and holding democracy hostage,” said Mr Nyikadzino.
“They also face the risk of losing their stake in the
Political Parties Finance Act. Therefore, it is a national expectation that the
CCC participates at the swearing-in ceremony so that they come up with policy
proposals to enhance robust political discussions for national development
rather than thinking of themselves over the people they should represent.”
Kwekwe based lawyer, Mr Valentine Mutatu, said the
attendance by CCC of the swearing-in ceremony, while constitutional, also has
the effect of endorsing the electoral outcome which they had earlier on been
denouncing.
“Legally, the participation of CCC in the swearing-in
tomorrow is in line with constitutional provisions. Once an election is done,
the winners must be sworn-in within the timeframes contained in the
Constitution. If, however, they fail to do so, they will lose the seats and in
terms of the law, by-elections will be held.
“The implications of their participation can be viewed from
two angles; the first one is that CCC is endorsing the process that it views as
flawed and the second one could be that they may not be happy with the process
leading to the election results but have nevertheless decided to occupy the
political space notwithstanding their grievances,” said Mr Mutatu.
In Parliament, he said, to the extent that the ruling party
has no absolute majority, any constitutional amendment would require the
consent of the CCC.
“In local authorities, they believe they control the urban
ones which possibly are key in governance. However, politically some may take
it as a wholesome endorsement of the electoral process which would defeat the
argument for illegitimacy,” said Mr Mutatu.
Another political analyst, Mr Goodwine Mureriwa, said the
fact that CCC councillors in Bulawayo were sworn-in, the likes of Mr David
Coltart, showed that the party had no option but to be sworn-in lest they would
soon count their political and economic losses.
“Yes there is the dilemma of a possible boycott foisted by
(Mr) Nelson Chamisa as a bitter losing Presidential candidate, but that does
not change the legitimate outcome of the whole plebiscite. His personal
interest and dictatorship cannot override the personal interests of MPs and
councillors. Mr Coltart has already been sworn-in in Bulawayo as a councillor,
the tone has been set,” said Mr Mureriwa.
Political analyst, Dr Wellington Gadzikwa, however, felt
that it was normal for a party to accept its win and reject electoral outcomes
where it would have lost on the basis that the process was flawed.
“This is politics. It is not judged through a moral
compass. Politics is about advancing arguments, making U-turns and so forth,
there are no principles in politics, anyone can do anything to get something in
politics,” said Dr Gadzikwa.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Priscilla
Chigumba declared President Mnangagwa as winner of the presidential elections
after he beat his closest rival, Mr Nelson Chamisa.
President Mnangagwa, who was Zanu PF Presidential
candidate, romped to victory with 2 350 111 total votes (52,6 percent of the
vote) ahead of CCC leader, Mr Chamisa who garnered 1 967 343 votes (44
percent).
The August 23 poll has been described by election observers
as having been held under a peaceful environment.
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