Mnangagwa announces early poll
ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe’s president announced yesterday that elections would be held early, amid suggestions that he hopes to capitalise on opposition disarray.
Emmerson Mnangagwa promised that the elections would be peaceful and more democratic than under Robert Mugabe’s regime, when allegations of vote rigging and intimidation were widespread. He is certain to stand as the ruling Zanu-PF party’s candidate.
‘‘Zimbabwe is going for elections in four to five months’ time, and we have to preach peace, peace and peace, because we know it is good for us,’’ he said during a trip to Mozambique. ‘‘We will ensure that Zimbabwe delivers free, credible, fair and indisputable elections to ensure it engages the world as a qualified democratic state.’’
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) claimed, however, that a rollout of the armed forces in rural areas had already begun, ‘‘in a sinister move to scare villagers’’ into voting for the ruling party.
‘‘We have solid and incontrovertible evidence pointing to the fact that thousands of army officers in civilian attire have been deployed into the countryside for the purposes of carrying out clandestine political campaigns on behalf of Zanu-PF,’’ the MDC said.
Officials rejected the opposition’s demand that there should be electoral reform to allow the country’s many exiles to vote using a biometric system.
Mnangagwa came to office after a coup last November that prompted Mugabe to step down. Since then, he has pledged to promote democratic and economic reforms to attract foreign aid and investment.
The constitution says elections should be held between July 22 and August 22, but parliament can elect to dissolve itself, triggering an early vote. Zanu-PF has a twothirds majority in parliament and is likely to maintain its hold on power.
There was widespread euphoria and goodwill towards Mnangagwa’s takeover because it ended Mugabe’s 37-year regime. There is some unease, however, about his violent past and the military figures in his cabinet.
The opposition has been weakened by the ill health of its charismatic leader, Morgan Tsvangirai. He has colon cancer, and has been seen little in public. It is doubtful if he will be well enough to stand, forcing the MDC to pick a less celebrated candidate.
There were reports this week that the fractured MDC is facing another split over Tsvangirai’s potential successor. MDC chiefs fear that without their long-time president at the helm, the party will fail to enthuse voters. The most popular possible choice to succeed him, Nelson Chamisa, 39, the MDC vice-president, has been rejected as ‘‘too young’’ to lead by party elders.
Mnangagwa can further burnish his presidential credentials next week when he arrives in Davos for the World Economic Forum. He told government officials and business leaders yesterday that he would rub shoulders with other world leaders and ‘‘dispel the perception’’ that Zimbabwe was ‘‘an isolated island’’.