MDC dismisses President Mugabe’s call for elections

The smaller MDC faction led by Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube on Thursday said President Robert Mugabe cannot unilaterally declare elections. The party spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi said resolutions passed by Mugabe’s party on when fresh elections should be held were not binding to the other parties in the inclusive government. “President Mugabe cannot unilaterally declare elections. Any attempt to do so will be in violation of the Global Political Agreement. Legally, elections should be held by Jun. 27, 2013. Zanu-PF will hit a brick wall if it tries to rush to elections without the involvement of the other two political partners,” he said. Mugabe this week declared that elections will be held this year, with or without a new constitution, as he seeks an end to the power-sharing arrangement brokered by the Southern African Development Community after inconclusive elections in 2008. The inclusive government, which has been in office for three years now, has seen the country score some modest economic gains but rising tension over differences in party policies has disrupted the smooth flow of business. Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party resolved at its last conference in December 2011 that elections should be held this year and went on to nominate Mugabe as its candidate for the presidency. But Chihwayi said the Zanu-PF resolution was non-binding: “No party is bigger than the other in the inclusive government. We all deserve equal recognition and respect. The MDC is ready to collide with Mugabe and (Prime Minister Morgan) Tsvangirai in any election, anytime and anywhere provided there is a level playing field,”