The passing away of Member of Parliament Hon. Desire Moyo has left Nkulumane’s seat vacant, resulting to by‑election’s set for 20  December 2025.

In line with Zimbabwe’s constitution, the President called for nominations, and the nomination court in Bulawayo officially opened on 20 November, resulting in nine candidates successfully filing their papers with ZEC officer Richard Sibanda.

A by‑election (or by‑poll) is a special election held to fill a parliamentary seat that has become empty before the end of a normal term. The vacancy can arise from death, resignation, disqualification, or expulsion from political party that they represent.

According to the Zimbabwe constitution, Section 129 of the constitution stipulates that when a seat falls vacant, the President must, within 90 days, announce a date for a by‑election.

The process means a general election nomination courts, campaign period, voter rolls verification, and polling day. However, it only covers the specific constituency where the vacancy occurred.

The aspiring candidates are: Ethel Sibanda MDC‑T, Alson Moyo – EFF, Esther Auxilia Zitha – Independent, Rodney Donovan Jele Independent, Mbuso Fuzwayo, Freedom Murechu – ZANU‑PF, Nompilo Ncube Malaba – ZANC, Siziba Viyo Vivian – ZAPU and Muthusi ‘Madlela’ Ndlovu – CCC , a well‑known artist representing the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change.

Residents of Nkulumane are still recalling the roads paved, clinics upgraded, and community projects that were led by the late Hon. Moyo. Those memories have turned into a charged debate that now is not only across Bulawayo’s streets, WhatsApp groups, and social‑media platforms across Zimbabwe on who will step into his shoes?

The opposition hopes to retain the seat, while the ruling party eyes a chance to reclaim lost ground.

Speaking to this publication, Bulawayo based political analyst Mr. Dube warned that all side particularly the ruling party and main opposition party should bear in mind that by elections do have lower turn out.

“This by‑election is a litmus test for both CCC and ZANU‑PF. Voter apathy is a real threat—historically, by‑elections see lower turnout. Candidates need to move beyond rhetoric and present clear, deliverable plans, especially on job creation and service delivery. The late Hon. Moyo’s legacy adds emotional weight, which both sides will weaponize,” said Dube.

Voter turn out remains a concern, with many historically staying at home during the by‑elections.

Campaigns are usually focused on door‑to‑door visits, youth rallies, and digital.

Between now and polling day 20  December, Nkulumane will witness a flurry of rallies, candidate debates on local radio, and a surge of posters lining the main roads from Bulawayo to Nkulumane township.

Issues that expected to be raised are unemployment, water scarcity, health‑clinic upgrades, and the memory of the late Hon Moyo’s development projects.

Mr. Dube further said, its uncommon for a by-election to have a long list of candidates.

“First, it shows a fragmented field. With three independents, two female candidates from smaller parties, and the big two CCC’s Madlela and ZANU‑PF’s Murechu splitting the major vote, the margin for error is tiny. The presence of independents could act as a spoiler for either side, especially if they pull votes from the same demographic.”

Dube further said conversations on social media, are painting a picture of how the country is interested in the Nkulumane By-elections .

“The level of social‑media activity is higher than I anticipated for a by‑election. From facebook and whatsapp, this might be pulling younger voters online, which could counter the usual apathy,” said Dube.

He also noted that by-elections are a road map to the next general elections.

“Remember, a by‑election is your chance to shape the next five years of representation to the voters but to the politicians its also a space to campaign what your party can a full term,” he said.