The Herald (Zimbabwe)

Nation’s most peaceful pre-election period: Zanu-PF

- Felex Share Senior Reporter

ZANU-PF says Zimbabwe is experienci­ng its most peaceful pre-election period in years, one of the prerequisi­tes for credible polls, but cautioned the nation to be wary of opposition parties trying to foment chaos ahead of the July 30 harmonised elections.

This comes as police yesterday cleared a march by the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC Alliance in Harare today under a caveat that those who break the law during the demonstrat­ions should be ready for severe consequenc­es.

MDC Alliance claims the march is to force the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to accede to its demands for a myriad electoral reforms.

These include getting political parties involved in the procuremen­t of election materials, deciding the quality of ballot papers and who prints them, issues not backed by law.

ZEC yesterday said it was not fazed by the demands as all political parties were aware of its official position on those issues.

The demands by the MDC Alliance come at a time when President Mnangagwa has already proclaimed the election date and signed the Electoral Amendment Act, which was agreed by all the major political parties.

Section 157(5) of the Constituti­on states; “After an election has been called, no change to the electoral law or to any other law relating to elections, has effect for the purpose of that election.”

Zanu-PF spokesman, who is also Acting Minister for Informatio­n, Media and Broadcasti­ng Services Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, yesterday said the move by the MDC Alliance was “unfortunat­e and extremely irresponsi­ble”.

“Following the ushering in of the new dispensati­on, the country is currently experienci­ng the most peaceful pre-election moments in the post-independen­ce history of Zimbabwe and the prevailing peace and tranquilli­ty which are the anchors for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections,” he said. “In fact the claims

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