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Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporter
POLITICAL parties have accepted the confirmation of this year’s harmonised elections saying they have started preparing for the historic polls.
The Constitutional Court on Thursday confirmed 31 July as the date for this year’s harmonised elections after throwing out five different applications that sought the postponement of the poll date to different dates in the month of August.
The court upheld the proclamation made by President Mugabe on 13 June for the election and nomination dates, which was being challenged by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube.
Speaking in separate interviews, party leaders said there was nothing they could do about the confirmation of the election date and were ready for the elections.
Dr Dabengwa of Zapu said: “We cannot say anything against the Constitutional Court and we cannot do anything about the confirmation of the date. We are ready for the elections but the playing field is not level for what we should call free and fair elections.
“The voters’ roll is still chaotic yet we only have three weeks left before the elections. The media coverage has never been fair and nothing has changed. There is also the issue of clearing our rallies and meetings through the police which is a major setback on our campaigns. It is unfair for us to be forced to clear all these rallies and meetings, considering the pressure that we have ahead of the elections,” said Dr Dabengwa.
Prof Ncube said despite the setbacks that the country is facing in relation to the elections, his party was ready for the elections.
“There is no going back. We are left with three weeks before the elections and only one President will be chosen on 31 July.
“The problems that we have include lack of proper access to registering to vote and a short period given to fix the voters’ roll,” he said.
Prof Ncube, however, said despite the problems, it was important for the electorate to refrain from violence and respect people’s rights and choices.
“We have too many problems but let us confront the technical problems and stop compounding them.
“All leaders signed a code of conduct for peaceful elections and I continue to appeal to all members to listen to their party leaders who are all calling for violent free elections. We must respect people’s rights, co-exist with others and refrain from violence,” said Prof Ncube.
On Thursday, President Mugabe said Zanu-PF welcomed the Constitutional Court ruling, saying it was an unanimous decision that the elections be held on 31 July.
He urged party cadres to be committed and go out in full force campaigning to ensure a resounding victory.
MDC-T spokesperson, Mr Douglas Mwonzora could not be reached for comment at the time of going to Press.
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