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The Zimbabwe Chess Federation (ZCF) elections, scheduled for mid-October, have been marred by controversy and allegations of electoral deception.
With only days to go, the federation has yet to announce Presidential candidates, sparking concerns among affiliates and stakeholders about the fairness of the electoral process.
Concerns Raised by Affiliates
Affiliates are troubled by the lack of candidate disclosure, inadequate campaigning time, and the federation’s plan to use an outdated constitution for the elections.
“The federation has not allowed adequate campaigning time or provided a publicly accessible audited voters’ roll, which is currently only available to a select few board members,” stated a stakeholder on behalf of concerned affiliates.
Response from ZCF Secretary General
ZCF Secretary General Todd Mapingire responded,
“If the list was available, I would have shared. Candidates have not yet declared.”
Mapingire also denied allegations of maneuvering behind the scenes to position himself as a presidential candidate, stating,
“I have not declared at any forum that I want to run for Presidency.”
Bulawayo Chess Players’ Perspective
Bulawayo chess players, including top players like Robert Gwaze and Farai Mandizha, are likely to be affected by the outcome of the elections. The delays and allegations of electoral deception may impact their participation and representation in the federation.
Calls for Postponement
Some affiliates have called for the election to be postponed, citing multiple irregularities that undermine the process’ fairness. However, Mapingire stated that a postponement would only be considered for legitimate logistical challenges or a matter of law.
Uncertainty Surrounds Elections
The ZCF election was initially scheduled for October 12 at Joina City in Harare, but sources indicate that the AGM may be postponed by one week to allow the ZFC President to attend to other commitments. The uncertainty surrounding the elections has left many in the chess community concerned about the future of the sport in Zimbabwe.
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