Last month, Zanu (PF) national spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo, told The Zimbabwean that Zimbabwe would not accept cash to run elections from Western countries as they had imposed sanctions on the country.
He accused Western nations of harbouring sinister motives to topple President Robert Mugabe and Zanu (PF).
However, Biti, who was addressing journalists at the MDC-T’s headquarters on Wednesday, said Western countries had been instrumental in funding critical sectors in Zimbabwe, adding that elections should not be an exception.
“It’s not acceptable that you want people’s money for other things and when it comes to elections, you want to say no,” said Biti.
“These (Western countries) have been helping us in most areas that include health and education, just to mention a few. So there is nothing new when it comes to the referendum and the elections,” added Biti.
The constitution making process has received financial aid from the United Nations, through UNDP.
In contrast to Zanu (PF’s) claims that Western observers will not be invited to Zimbabwe in the next election, Biti said: “We need election observers and monitors from any part of the world, from China to America, to be stationed here six months before the election.”
Biti expressed concern over the surge in cases of political victimization of MDC-T supporters ahead of the elections.
“We are concerned with the continued politicization of food aid in the country as well as the violence being perpetrated against our supporters by Zanu (PF) militia,” said Biti.
Biti commended peace calls by principals in the Government of National Unity ahead of elections but said there was need for action to stop political violence.
Post published in: News