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Lungile Tshuma
WHAT is democracy? Who defines it and what are its parameters?
These are some of the questions that pundits are asking with reference to the ongoing chaotic MDC-T primary elections. The party has always claimed to be democratic and promises all and sundry that if it is elected into power “democracy” will prevail.
But observers say that the western-sponsored party does not walk its talk. Evidence from the party’s primaries, they say, shows a clear absence of internal democracy in the movement.
Many aggrieved MDC-T members are giving rare, on-the-record interviews to the media detailing the absence of democracy in the so-called party of excellence. If it cannot elect its own representatives in democratic, free and fair internal elections, asked an independent political analyst, Mr Godwine Mureriwa, what capacity does it have to run an entire country?
“The MDC-T wants to pretend as if they are pursuing real democracy but surely chickens are coming home to roost. MDC-T is not a democratic party but it’s an anarchist party,” he said.
Dictatorial tendencies, flagrant imposition of candidates, ballot stuffing; electoral colleges that balloon overnight to benefit loyalists and disadvantage the unwanted, tampering with their voters’ roll and open violence are some of the factors that have reduced MDC-T’s internal elections into a nationwide farce.
There have also been scenes fit for comedies as some senior officials have run away with ballot papers, only to be declared winners the next morning.
In one case, the primary election in Epworth, near Harare was called off recently after skirmishes that saw one of the contestants fleeing with ballot boxes.
In Buhera West, aspiring parliamentary candidate Mr George Usavi and his supporters fled with eleven ballot boxes after sensing defeat while in Luveve, Bulawayo, Mr Reggie Moyo, the sitting MP also allegedly sped off with ballot boxes into the city centre. Party members were later told he had “won”!
In Pumula, Mr Albert Mhlanga, another incumbent reportedly openly intimidated opposition supporters. But probably the worst of the comedy occurred in Lobengula, where only one person counted ballots in a local primary and thereafter, proclaimed Mr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo the winner.
What is surprising said Mr Mureriwa, is that in all these cases the party turned a blind eye and concluded that elections had been “free and fair.” In other constituencies in Bulawayo, fresh polling has been ordered after blue-eyed boys had been beaten.
These and other hilarious acts are a dominant feature in embattled West African countries like Nigeria, Cameroon and Congo, Mr Mureriwa said.
University of Zimbabwe political science lecturer, Dr Charity Manyeruke said all these cases prove that there is discord within the party and their processes are undemocratic and do not respect the people’s will.
Said Dr Manyeruke:
“These skirmishes show that the party is disorganised and there are poor managerial skills among contestants. The party should have clear rules on how to conduct primary elections to avoid imposition of candidates.
“If the party declares one who has rigged and or run way with ballot boxes the winner, it is heading for a disaster. The party’s leadership can be satisfied but the grassroots can revolt.”
Some losing candidates are still in pain over what transpired. Mr Samuel Sandla Khumalo, the controversial legislator for Pelandaba-Mpopoma says he is a victim of a rigged primary election.
“What happened was a scandal,” he fumed. “I do not recognise that election and do not accept its result. The whole process was treacherous. They rigged. Some of the voters were pupils aged 15 and are not on the party voter’s roll. The electoral college had about 300 people but we ended up having 500. We wonder where the additional voters came from.
“As a party we are always disputing the outcome of (national) elections yet we are failing to manage our own internal polls. Where else have you seen an election where some voters are locked out while others are allowed to participate? It shows that some people wanted a pre-determined outcome.”
Magwegwe MP, Mr Felix Magagela Sibanda who also lost in another opaque primary, claims there is an internal plot to sideline founding members of the party, and replacing them with new ones from civil society.
Provincial party chair, Mr Gorden Moyo, who himself is a product of the pro-MDC-T civil society has dismissed the charge, saying Mr Sibanda lost in a “clean” election.
Dr Lawton Hikwa, an independent political analyst, said MDC-T cannot be regarded as democratic as it claims because there is a lot of noise that takes place at Harvest House, the MDC-T headquarters.
“What they are preaching is not totally a benchmark of democracy due to bickering that has been witnessed in the party. Their processes are not waterproof as their members are yet to learn to accept defeat. The party claims to be democratic.
“However, their primary elections have proved otherwise, as candidates are complaining about rigged elections.”
Dr Manyeruke urged the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) to be prepared for possible devious acts that MDC-T might employ in the harmonised elections.
“Zec should thoroughly train its members so that the country conducts free and fair elections,” said Dr Manyeruke, adding, “Incidents where people run away with ballot boxes will not take place during these forthcoming elections because Zec has done well in the past and these are elections which everyone is looking at, hence we must not disappoint by indulging in undemocratic acts.”
MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora tried to defend his party, saying it is pursuing “real democracy.” On Mr Moyo, who left members in shock after he drove away with ballot papers, Mr Mwonzora said those aggrieved at the conduct of the primary election and others elsewhere can appeal for possible internal redress.
“That cannot be true. The fact is that Reggie Moyo left the polling station before the counting of votes,” said Mr Mwonzora.
“The party is very democratic and this is the reason why we always allow people with complaints to come forward. We are open for an appeal.
For Luveve, we did not receive a complaint. When people lose they must learn to accept the outcome instead of making some utterances that are not true. People should come up with their grievances. As a party we look closely at such scenarios especially in cases like in Magwegwe where someone won by three votes.”
Online Reporter