The document acknowledges that the two formations have ruled out a coalition going into the July 31st election, but this document was presented to them to clarify how successful an electoral pact could be, to prevent ZANU PF from winning seats by default.
If the two parties were to enter into an electoral pact, they would avoid challenging each other in constituencies where either of them is stronger than ZANU PF.
“Ideally the two formations could agree not to challenge each other in the few constituencies where it may significantly advantage ZANU PF,” the document says.
In this way, the two MDCs could see an increase in parliamentary seats and a reduction in ZANU PF numbers.
For example, if the MDCs had gone into a pact in 2008, they would have won the Mutare South constituency that eventually went to ZANU PF due to vote splitting. In that election, the result was: ZANU PF 7,606; MDC-T 5,705; MDC 2,089; Independent 362.
The same is true of Lupane West: ZANU PF 3,311; MDC 3,044; MDC-T 2,005. The figures clearly show that it would have been to the advantage of both MDCs to allow the MDC to contest alone.
“So if they could come up with a pact before July 31st to say they will not challenge each other in constituencies of this nature, it will massively water down ZANU PF’s influence in parliament,” said Crisis in Zim Coalition official Nixon Nyikadzino.
Nyikadzino continued: “If that kind of horsetrading was done, there will be 71 advantageous situations for the MDC-T, and 12 for the MDC led by Welshman Ncube.
He added that the hurdle to such an electoral pact was the selfish interests pursued by politicians, who view their participation in politics as a career rather than a service.
Talks of a grand coalition ahead of the elections had raised hopes that the days of ZANU PF misrule could finally be over, but these were shattered when the two MDC formations ruled out any merger. – SW Radio Africa News
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