Zanu PF scoffs at MDC-T election preconditions

By The NewsDay | Mar. 14, 2012 | 2 Min read

Zanu PF has rubbished the MDC-T preconditions for its participation in the next general elections. Party secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa described the MDC-T election blueprint launched in Harare last week as “nothing”. He said the blueprint was an admission by the former opposition party that the country would hold elections this year with or […]

Zanu PF has rubbished the MDC-T preconditions for its participation in the next general elections.

Party secretary for administration Didymus Mutasa described the MDC-T election blueprint launched in Harare last week as “nothing”.

He said the blueprint was an admission by the former opposition party that the country would hold elections this year with or without a new constitution.

“We have no time to waste reading that document, it is for MDC supporters and I am Zanu PF, why bother myself? If they want elections there is no need to set conditions, let us just go for elections and see who wins,” Mutasa said.

Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo added:

“The demands in the document are a duplication of the GPA.There is nothing new there. In a way they are saying yes they are now joining us in the call for elections and that is what Zanu PF has been saying, let us go for elections and do away with the GNU that has lived its course.

“We have gone through the document and what we have seen is a powerless party that is trying to say they can control elections. It is only the President who can decide on the way forward with regard to elections. Zimbabwe has always guaranteed the security of the vote as well as that of the voter, so why do they behave as if this is the first time Zimbabwe is going for elections?”

Yesterday MDC-T organising secretary Nelson Chamisa said the party was ready for elections, but wanted them “premised on democratic principles espoused in the Sadc election guidelines”.

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“We have never said we do not want elections,” said Chamisa. “Our document clearly shows how democratic elections should be held in line with the Sadc roadmap.”

President Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF are pushing for elections this year saying they have lost confidence in the GPA.

However, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said:

“Our participation will depend on the implementations of reforms; date for an election is process-driven, and the Sadc roadmap has to be followed.”