As MDC, we have since made it clear that we will not be participating in tomorrow’s circus. The conditions on the ground are not conducive to the conduct of free and fair elections. The region, the United Nations and the international community, have also made it clear that what is going to happen tomorrow is a sham. The SADC Extra-ordinary summit held in Swaziland on Wednesday made it clear that the conditions in Zimbabwe are not conducive for a free and fair election. The summit resolved that tomorrow’s farce lacks credibility to be termed a free and fair election.
The MDC has it on good authority that Zanu PF has started paying its own people amounts ranging from $50 billion to $100 billion to masquerade as MDC polling agents who will then sign the V11 forms and validate the charade. The fake MDC polling agents will give the impression that the party is participating in tomorrow’s drama when in fact Robert Mugabe and Zanu PF will be acting out their comedy alone.
Our position is clear and unequivocal. We are not participating and our genuine polling agents have borne the brunt of Zanu PF violence. At least 2 000 MDC polling agents are in prison on trumped-up charges, some are hiding in the mountains in the rural areas, some are injured and are receiving treatment in hospital while others have sought refuge in urban areas and neighbouring countries. We are not going to have polling agents in polling stations when we are not participating in this charade. We cannot participate in an election that has one outcome and whose outcome reflects the wishes of those holding machetes.Â
It is clear that Mugabe is desperate for legitimacy and will leave no stone unturned in his quest to sanitise tomorrow’s charade. Zanu PF wants to frogmarch everyone to go and vote for Robert Mugabe. The regime’s antics include an operation code-named “Chigunwe chitsvuku” in which armed militia will randomly inspect people’s fingers to check whether they have voted.
Our message to the people is that if anyone if frog-marched to a polling station, they must spoil their ballot. The people cannot be abused by the same regime they rejected on 29 March.The people of Zimbabwe spoke loudly on 29 March. They have archived Zanu PF and no amount of intimidation will change that position.The people’s victory is certain. It can only be delayed.
Hon Nelson Chamisa, MP
Secretary for Information and Publicity
Post published in: News