GPA negotiators meet over polls

secret venue in Harare to craft a roadmap for general elections to be held later this year.
The meeting was also expected to review the arrangement that gave birth to the inclusive Government that brings together Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations.
It followed a Sadc Organ on Politics, Defence and Security meeting last Thurs-day in Zambia that proposed establishment of a three-member panel to assist South African President Jacob Zuma’s facilitation team in the inter-party talks.
The negotiators are Cdes Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche (Zanu-PF), Mr Tendai Biti and Mr Elton Mangoma (MDC-T), and Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga and Mr Moses Mzila Ndlovu (MDC).
It could not be established what, if anything, had been agreed at the time of going to print.
MDC-T’s Mr Biti said: “We are meeting right now but I don’t know when we are going to finish.”
It is understood that top of the agenda was the issue of electoral dates, with MDC-T trying to push polls to May next year while Zanu-PF insisted elections should held this year.
According to the GPA signed by Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations in 2008, elections should be held on completion of the constitution-making process, which is expected to culminate in a referendum around September this year.
President Mugabe has indicated that elections will be held this year whether or not the draft constitution is accepted in a plebiscite.
MDC-T is trying to push President Zuma to craft a parallel election roadmap.
MDC-T has raised unsubstantiated claims of political violence in a bid to stall elections.