FAKE INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES

Zimbabwe’s ruling party, ZANU PF, is causing new political problems before the 2023 elections. Their big plan is to put forward many ‘independent’ presidential candidates. Critics say this plan is not just suspicious, but also a way to control the election outcome.

These ‘independent’ candidates seem to be only political tricks to help ZANU PF. By adding these independent candidates, ZANU PF wants to take advantage of the electoral system. They want to take away votes from the opposition and keep their power. This trick is against the idea of democracy, where elections should be a fair fight between different parties and ideas.

Are these independents real candidates? Or are they, as some people think, just pawns waiting to take the blame if the election becomes controversial? A close look at their past and their connections shows they might not be real competitors.

History shows us that Zimbabwe has had problems with elections before, like cheating and manipulation. This background makes people worry that ZANU PF is trying to split the opposition votes. This could result in a divided electorate and make it easier for ZANU PF to win.

Usually, independent candidates offer another choice for voters who are unhappy with the main parties. But when these candidates are not truly independent and are actually working for the ruling party, it takes away the real choice from voters.

Look at these ‘independent’ candidates. Many of them have ties to ZANU PF, which makes people more suspicious. Critics say their candidacy is a trick to confuse the political scene. They believe these ‘independents’ are not really independent and are just there to make a flawed process look fair.

This trick is not just about changing the election outcome; it’s also about managing blame. These fake candidates can be blamed if the elections get messy. They act as a shield, protecting the ruling party from criticism and making it look like there is fair competition.

The impact of this strategy is serious. It goes against the basic ideas of democracy, hurts the fairness of the electoral process, and makes Zimbabwean voters more cynical and distrustful. These divisive tactics harm not just the political conversation in the country but the idea of democracy itself.

As the 2023 election gets closer, voters and observers need to stay alert. The danger of rigging the election through these fake ‘independent’ candidates is very real. The international community and local watchdogs must watch the election process carefully to make sure it is fair.

In the end, the big question is this: Will the 2023 election show what the Zimbabwean people really want, or will it be a puppet show controlled by ZANU PF, with the ‘independent’ candidates just acting out a script written behind closed doors? The answer depends on the watchfulness of the Zimbabwean voters and the honesty of the 2023 elections.