The Bulawayo province of the Movement for Democratic Change was ecstatic about its victory in the senate elections held at the weekend, where it won all five seats, saying this demonstrated that the party was right to contest the elections and defend its stronghold.
Provincial publicity secretary Victor Moyo said the victory was a clear indication to ZANU-PF that it had no room in Bulawayo.
The polls were marred by voter apathy with the highest votes won by a single candidate being 4 188 won by Rita Ndlovu who beat former Home Affairs Minister Dumiso Dabengwa in Bulawayo-Nkulumane.
Greenfield Nyoni of Pelandaba-Mpopoma polled the lowest votes, 1 974 to beat Tryphine Nhliziyo.
Moyo said there was a low voter turnout because of the general apathy that has prevailed since the 2000 parliamentary elections. Voters were also confused following calls by party leader Morgan Tsvangirai to boycott the elections.
The elections have almost split the MDC. One faction led by Tsvangirai called for a boycott while another led by party vice-President Gibson Sibanda said people should participate.
Despite the low voter turnout, Moyo said what was important was that “a win is a win. It would be nice if every province of the MDC could be as strong as Bulawayo. We would win the elections at the end of the day”.
The MDC won only seven of the 26 seats it contested, five in Bulawayo and two in Matabeleland North.
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