IV class=MsoNormal style=”MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt”>LUSAKA: The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says ruling ZANU PF is greatly threatened by an electoral defeat in the forthcoming elections and has attributed the Mugabe regime’s denial of a new constitution to that cause.
17.8.2007
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ZANU PF FEARS ELECTION DEFEAT-SAYS MDC (17-08-07)
BY TRUST MATSILELE
The MDC says in an environment where free and fair elections are promoted ZANU PF do not stand a chance to win against the opposition party.
“The MDC has a strong constituency in Zimbabwe which can not be equated to that of ZANU PF.
“ We know very well that we can loose any elections if such environment exists and the reason why ZANU PF insists it will not accept a new constitution is its fear of defeat,” said Nqobizitha Mlilo the MDC’s political liaison officer addressing journalists in Zambia on the sidelines of the SADC summit.
The ruling ZANU PF alongside some elements in the South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) are saying there is no enough time to draft and bring to a referendum a new constitution as elections will be held early next year.
However leading Civic Societies are dismissing such a suggestion saying its a way of ensuring that ZANU PF remains in power as its leader Robert Mugabe enjoys powers of handpicking those who administers national elections.
The MDC accuses ZANU PF of rigging all elections since the formation of the party in 2000. The party says SADC should make sure conditions of free and fair elections are in place to ensure that there is no contested legitimacy.
National Constitution Assembly Coordinator for South Africa, Tapera Kapuya says a new democratic people driven constitution is only what Zimbabweans are looking for and whoever win when such a provision has been provided is up to Zimbabweans.
“We can continuously postpone the constitutional issue as the majority of Zimbabweans feel it has indeed offered Mugabe an upper hand in all elections held, hence there needs to be a constitution which is fair to all parties.
“If there is no enough time for new constitutions why not postpone elections even to June? But we believe there is still enough time for that, already a constitution which Zimbabweans contributed to is existent why not bring for referendum, “questioned Kapuya.
Meanwhile CSO and the opposition MDC insists that they will not participate in an election that is pre-determined and to counter that ZANU PF is alleged to have sponsored some Zimbabweans to form a party called Zimbabwe People’s Party.
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