Chamisa’s Resignation Raises Questions About the Future of Zimbabwe’s Opposition
Opposition party chaos sparks concerns of voter apathy, threatening electoral landscape
In a worrisome turn of events, the Zimbabwe Election Advocacy Trust (ZEAT), an electoral watchdog, has issued a stern warning that the recent chaos and internal divisions within the main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), could have far-reaching consequences, including a rise in voter apathy.
The resignation of prominent figure Nelson Chamisa from the CCC has sent shockwaves through both supporters and political observers, casting doubt on the party’s future and its ability to effectively challenge the ruling Zanu PF party in future elections.
Ignatious Sadziwa, the executive director of ZEAT, expressed concerns about the uncertainty surrounding Chamisa’s next move, emphasizing that this ambiguity could further erode confidence in the opposition and result in disengagement from the electoral process.
“It is prudent that the new political outfit moves with speed to reinvigorate its support base. The electoral season is short, and with 2028 looming, the opposition has a lot of ground to cover,” Sadziwa cautioned. He stressed the need for the opposition to recruit new members, particularly among young people who represent a significant portion of the electorate, and to prioritize voter registration efforts. However, the ongoing disturbances and infighting within the main opposition factions have led to growing fears of voter apathy.
The abrupt resignations within the CCC have left its followers feeling disillusioned and betrayed. The prospect of potential by-elections, especially if sitting CCC MPs and councillors align with Chamisa and resign from their positions, could exacerbate an already volatile situation. These by-elections, if they materialize, will serve as a litmus test for Chamisa’s anticipated party, provided they manage to restore order within their ranks by then, Sadziwa added.
The recent by-elections in Zimbabwe have already been plagued by voter apathy, with an average turnout rate of a mere 22.1%. The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (Zesn) conducted an analysis, which revealed an alarming increase in rejected votes during this month’s by-elections. This spike in rejected votes points to potential voter fatigue or protest among the electorate.
Zesn’s analysis highlighted notable figures of rejected votes in various constituencies, including 369 in Goromonzi South, 313 in Seke, 262 in Zvimba East, 212 in Pelandaba-Tshabalala, 191 in Chegutu West, and 185 in Mkoba North. The trend of rejected votes was consistent across all constituencies during the December 9 by-elections, underscoring the need for urgent attention to address the issue.
