Opposition political parties in Zimbabwe have called for a mass street protest on Tuesday in the country’s capital over preparations towards July 30 general elections.
A coalition of these opposition political parties led claimed that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission isn’t been fair and transparent with its operations.
The opposition parties have accused the electoral commission of plotting to rig the July elections in favour of the ruling Zanu PF and its leader, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The threat from the opposition parties a potential disruption to the elections unless all parties are given an equal playing field.
The MDC Alliance is leading the intended protest with one of its leaders, Tendai Biti, saying “It will be a peaceful march. In terms of the constitution, we are allowed by law to do this.”
“We going to do this because this election is so important and we want a free fair and credible elections. Our peaceful negotiations have yielded nothing so far and we will be flooding the streets of Harare on Tuesday the 5th of June 208,” Biti added.
The July 30 elections would be the first in a post-Mugabe era after the 94 year old leader resigned from power in 2017 after a brief military takeover, ushering Mnangagwa into power.
Registration of voters has been ongoing while political parties have also been campaigning since it was clear that general elections would take place this year.
President Mnangagwa last week made a bold claim that he and his Zanu-PF party will remain in power after the elections.
He told supporters of the party on Friday that “things are not going to change. Nothing will be different, ZANU-PF is in power and will continue in power.”
Mnangagwa will be leading the Zanu-PF into the July poll with his strongest challenge coming from his main rival, Nelson Chamisa, 40 who is the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Source: Africafeeds.com
