Tinotenda Hove – The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has declared ZANU PF candidate Obvious Tinarwo Madzivanyika the duly elected councillor for Ward 13 of the Bikita Rural District Council following the withdrawal of the only opposing candidate ahead of the scheduled by-election.

In a notice released on Monday, 19 January 2026, ZEC confirmed that Brilliant Mukaro of the Democratic Alliance of Zimbabwe (DAZ), who had been nominated to contest the by-election set for 31 January 2026, had formally withdrawn his candidature.

The electoral body said the withdrawal left Madzivanyika as the sole remaining candidate, resulting in his automatic election in line with electoral law. In its notice, ZEC stated:
“It is hereby notified, in terms of section 126 (2) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that Mukaro Brilliant of DAZ party nominated for election in the Ward 13 Bikita RDC by-election scheduled for the 31st of January 2026, has withdrawn his candidature.”

ZEC further said:
“It is further advised that since only one candidate remains duly nominated for election for Ward 13 Bikita RDC, Madzivanyika Obvious Tinarwo of ZANU PF party is hereby declared duly elected councillor for the said ward with effect from the 9th of January 2026.”

The Ward 13 seat became vacant following the death of the sitting councillor, Elliott Chipinda of ZANU PF, who also served as an Agritex officer.