MDC-T shifts goalposts over electoral reforms Mr Douglas Mwonzora
Douglas Mwonzora

Douglas Mwonzora

Lovemore Zigara Midlands Correspondent
IN a sign of indecisiveness, MDC-T has shifted goalposts on so-called electoral reforms it has been clamouring for after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) allegedly wrote to it notifying it of reforms that have been undertaken so far.

The party has been boycotting by-elections held since the July 2013 harmonised elections, demanding reforms to be undertaken before they take part in any polls and has previously come up with a number of grievances they wanted addressed.

However, the opposition party is now demanding that reforms should involve ordinary citizens just like what happened in the Constitution making process.

Addressing party supporters at a rally at Mbizo 4 Shopping Centre on Friday, MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora said ZEC had written to the party informing them that the electronic voters roll is now in place.

He said ZEC had also asked them to list the proposed reforms they would want to see effected.

Mwonzora said any reforms should involve ordinary people before they could take part in any elections.

“Our stand is that we boycott elections until reforms have been made despite overtures being made by ZEC. I received two letters from ZEC last week one informing us that the electronic voters roll is now available,” said Mwonzora. “In another letter ZEC is asking us on any issues we need to put forward for reforms but we’re saying any reforms should involve the ordinary Zimbabweans like what happened during the constitution making process. Unless that happens we aren’t going to take part in any elections.”

ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau could not be reached immediately to verify Mwonzora’s claims.

However, the MDC-T’s new position that people should be involved in electoral reforms could be a way of looking for more excuses as Zimbabweans have been going in numbers to vote in areas where by-elections have been held.

In Chirumanzu –Zibagwe for example, Cde Auxillia Mnangagwa clinched the constituency in a poll that saw over 20,000 people voting after the seat became vacant following her husband Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s appointment to the top national post.

MDC-T has embarked on a national campaign urging people not to take part in any election until the so-called reforms have taken place. In a desperate attempt, MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been telling the electorate to spoil ballot papers in the June 10 by-elections.

 

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