President to meet 84 political parties

PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa will soon be meeting leaders of political parties as the Government increases engagement efforts to ensure the country delivers free and fair elections this year.

Addressing delegates who had come to witness the launch of the Command Livestock, Fisheries and Wildlife Programme in Insiza District, Matabeleland South Province yesterday, Vice-President Retired General Dr Constantino Chiwenga said to date a total of 84 political parties will be represented at the meeting to be held at State House in Harare.

“We are clearly saying no fighting or violence as the roadmap to our harmonised elections begin. Our elections should be free, fair and credible, the electorate should be given an opportunity to vote for the candidates of their choice, be it councillor, MP or even President. No to violence I repeat.

“As we continue this call of ensuring free, fair and credible elections, President Mnangagwa will soon be meeting all political parties in the country, where he will be having a frank discussion with them on the roadmap to these harmonised elections. I will tell you that right now we have 84 of these parties and they will all be converging on State House,” said VP Chiwenga.

He said the task of ensuring that the upcoming elections are smooth sailing was not solely the mandate of the Government but was a wholesome effort which required everyone’s input regardless of political inclination.

“Let us not forget that we are all Zimbabweans and Zimbabwe is for us all. Which is why we will be meeting with all the political parties in the land so that we all can play our part,” he said.

VP Chiwenga’s sentiments come at a time when President Mnangagwa has on a number of occasions pledged that Zimbabwe will hold free, fair and nonviolent elections this year. The President has also said international observers, principally from the European Union (EU), will be invited to monitor the elections as the country seeks to entrench its democracy.