Parliamentary by-election results
By Violet Gonda
28 June 2008

Despite pulling out of the presidential run-off and urging voters to boycott the poll the MDC won the Mpopoma by-election while ZANU PF ‘won’ the two by-elections in Redcliff and Gwanda. The results come as no surprise because of the widespread violence and intimidation during the campaign period, and of course no one knows how extensive the rigging has been.

In this environment ZANU PF was certainly going to win, but there was one surprise - the Minister of Information Sikhanyiso Ndlovu was trounced by MDC Tsvangirai candidate, Samuel Sandla-Khumalo in the Mpopoma / Pelandaba by-election.

Khumalo had 3 795 votes over Ndlovu’s 1 354.

MDC Mutambara candidate Dumisani Gwetu received 296 votes.

In the Gwanda by-election the ZANU PF candidate had 7 860 while the MDC Tsvangirai polled 1 198.

In Redcliff, previously an MDC constituency, both MDC candidates failed to win.

This means Tsvangirai-MDC now has 100 MPs in parliament to Zanu PF's 99. The Mutambara-MDC has 10 seats, while one is held by Professor Jonathan Moyo, an independent. ZANU PF has the majority in the senate.

Analysts say depending on how the Mutambara MDC MPs vote, this poses a constitutional deadlock regarding the functioning of Parliament and the Senate, because the laws come from parliament, but they need the seal of approval of the Senate.

Despite the parliamentary election being held on 29th March, elected MP’s have still not been sworn in.