MDC-T poll boycott spot-on

Some critics have given a thumbs-down to the stance taken by the MDC-T and its fellow opposition parties, arguing that it would further erode the opposition’s support and close whatever democratic space has been there, but Mavedzenge said the move was a step in the right direction in the ongoing fight for democracy.

“There is nothing wrong with the election boycott because the constitution itself does not bar any party from participating or choosing not to participate in elections,” said Mavedzenge.

“All that is needed is for the parties boycotting the elections to be consistent, not boycott certain elections while choosing to participate in others, because that would confuse the electorate.”
Although conceding that the boycott alone would not arm-twist President Robert Mugabe and his party, who have said they don’t care whether the MDC-T participates in elections or not, Mavedzenge said it could be used as one of the many ways of forcing reforms.

“WE all need reforms and might have various ways of trying to get there, but as long as we maintain consistency and work in unison as a nation, we will get there. There is need for advocacy to force the constitution to work, but the problem is that we have a divided opposition that does not seem to understand the need to work together in order to achieve one common goal.”

The MDC-T, which ceded five of the parliamentary seats it held in Bulawayo in the June by-elections, has already said it will not participate in the Nkulumane by-election, meant to fill the void left by former Deputy Minister of Youth, Thamsanqa Mahlangu, who died recently.

However, some smaller parties like Zapu have seemingly tried to pull a fast one by taking part in the June by-elections, which they lost to Zanu (PF).

It is not yet clear if Zapu will participate in the Nkulumane election, after the party’s candidate pulled out of the Epworth by-election at the last minute. Zanu (PF) retained the seat.