No to foreign interference: Ruling party

Joseph Madzimure Zimpapers Elections Desk

ZANU PF will not accept any foreign interference during the election period as the country has enough capacity to run its own affairs.

A number of foreign election observer missions paid courtesy calls on Zanu PF Treasurer General Cde Patrick Chinamasa yesterday.

The missions included those from China, Russia, the European Union, Namibia and the Cater Center from the United States others. During the interactive meeting Cde Chinamasa said local political parties or politicians being supported and funded by foreign agency.

“We will not brook any local political parties or politicians being supported and funded by foreign agency that we will not take. We are politically uncompromising. Besides that, we want the people’s will to be reflected, and properly conducted free, fair and transparent elections that will take place,” said Cde Chinamasa.

Zanu PF, he said welcome any suggestions from observers on improving electoral process. “Any suggestions on how we can improve please feel free. What we do not want from observers is observation who come already with the reports written before their arrival. We had such situations, they have already concluded because they are part of the regime change agenda which is against us. They have already written their report, all they are now doing is just to say we were there and say this report says this, they were reports which says that as ultimately they come to the conclusion that they are not free and fair,” he said.

Responding to questions on any acts of post-elections violence, Cde Chinamasa said the law will take its course.

“If any acts of violence are committed its not our responsibility as a party, it’s the responsibility of law enforcement agency and we expect them to do their constitutional mandate and fulfil their mandate to protect property and persons in the event anyone should attack or cause violence.

“That should be exposed. Whoever gets into the streets committing acts of violence, we expect the law to take its course,” emphasised Cde Chinamasa.

The party, he said, welcomes constructive criticism, constructive suggestions on how best it can improve the electoral environment

“The democracy that you are coming to observe here we introduced it, we fought for it. There are people who are in unmarked graves in Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, Botswana among others.

“We fought for it, it did not come in a silver platter. Notwithstanding what the British are saying now. They never practice democracy during the entire colonial period, we have to fight for it. We will defend it; this is why we are very politically uncompromising against foreign interference.”

Zanu PF said it wants the people’s will to be reflected in the coming elections.

“We want the people’s will to be reflected through properly conducted free, fair and transparent elections,” he said.

Carter Center team leader Professor Attahiru Jega said they are pleased with the peaceful environment existing in the country during the election period

The Carter Center is a nongovernmental founded in 1982 by former US President Jimmy Carter.

Head of the Chinese Election Observer Mission former Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Lin Lin said they are here to see successful elections.

We are happy with the peaceful and calm environment which exists in the country during election period,” he said

Head of the European Union Election Observation Mission, Mr Fabio Castaldo, said his team is in Zimbabwe to observe and not supervise the harmonised elections slated for tomorrow.

“EU observers will be visiting many polling stations from the opening to the closing of the polls and follow also the collation of results. They will, however, not interfere in the process. They are here to observe and not to supervise”, said Mr Castaldo.