By Chengeto Chidi
HARARE, 18 July 2023 – In a historic ruling, the High Court of Zimbabwe has granted opposition United Zimbabwe Alliance leader Elisabeth Valerio the right to be on the ballot paper as a presidential candidate. The court ruled in favor of Valerio, stating that the decision by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to refuse her registration was incorrect.
Presiding Judge Samuel Deme delivered the judgement on behalf of the High Court, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles. “The court ruled that what ZEC had done was incorrect, and therefore, ZEC is required to take all necessary steps to ensure that Valerio’s name is registered on the ballot paper,” said Valerio’s lawyer, Alec Muchadehama, in an interview following the judgement.
The decision was met with jubilation by members of the United Zimbabwe Alliance, who came in solidarity to support Valerio. They sang and celebrated as they walked out of the High Court, recognizing the significance of having a female presidential candidate in Zimbabwe.
Valerio herself expressed her joy and the hope that her candidacy would inspire other women in Zimbabwe. “I am very happy right now because I think there are women throughout Zimbabwe who think that perhaps it’s not possible to lead the government. I hope that the role I am playing will be an example to other women throughout Zimbabwe, showing them that it is possible,” Valerio said.
As the only female presidential candidate, Valerio is determined to serve as a role model and advocate for women’s rights. “We want to encourage each other as women, and I will do everything to represent women fairly and ensure that their concerns are addressed throughout this journey,” she added.
Valerio and other party members initially faced challenges in making it onto the ballot due to issues with banking and payment systems that prevented her from paying the nomination fees within the deadline. Instead of campaigning, the party pursued legal processes to secure Valerio’s name on the ballot paper.
While Valerio celebrates this victory, she acknowledged that there is still work to be done. Many members of Parliament candidates from her party are still not on the ballot, and they continue to engage in legal processes to rectify the situation. “We have been vindicated as a presidential candidate, but we still have 29 other cases. There is still a long walk for us in terms of the legal processes,” Valerio shared.
With the election date just a month away, political parties have already begun their campaign trails, while some are still navigating the courts. The presence of a female presidential candidate in Zimbabwe’s political landscape marks a significant step towards gender equality and inclusivity in the country’s leadership.