Tsvangirai ready for polls

Tsvangirai says ready for polls

Sunday, 20 February 2011 20:20

Beitbridge Bureau Chief MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday said his party will participate in the elections due to be held this year as long as conditions are conducive for a free and fair poll. Mr Tsvangirai - who is Prime Minister in the inclusive Government - was addressing his party supporters at a rally at Swereki Business Centre, 150 km west of Beitbridge town. He said his MDC-T, Zanu-PF and MDC which form the inclusive Government had since agreed on a road map to ensure free and fair elections. Last week, Mr Tsvangirai told business leaders at a meeting held in Harare that he might boycott the elections. President Mugabe who has the constitutional authority to dissolve Parliament and call for any election, has indicated that he is not prepared to remain as the head of the inclusive Government beyond mid-2011 because of his partners' insincerity. Mr Tsvangirai said they were expecting a team sent by Sadc-appointed mediator President Jacob Zuma in the country this week for consultations on the election road map. He said some of the conditions included the availability of a "clean voters" roll, a new constitution, an independent electoral commission and the prevalence of peace during the election period. Mr Tsvangirai also added that should an election be held all the principals in the inclusive Government would agree on a date for the election and that it will also be the executive authority until the elections are held. "As a party we have made it clear that we are going to participate in the elections as long as there is a new clean voters' roll, a peaceful environment for campaign by all the political parties and an independent electoral commission. "We have also indicated that we need the presence of Sadc observers six months pre and post elections as one condition that will ensure the electoral process is carried out without any hassles. "As far as we (MDC-T) are concerned no principal in the inclusive Government has the autonomous power to announce the date of the election because we share executive powers. "I would also want to urge all Zimbabweans to make use of the Organ for Reconciliation and National Healing to forgive each other over wrongs we did against each other. "However, for the healing and reconciliation process to be a success, we need to start by taking responsibility of our actions against the aggrieved parties. "I also want to remind you that as the three principals have agreed in principle, we will not tolerate any form of political violence. People must be mature enough to accept (political) differences," he said. Mr Tsvangirai added that the Global Political Agreement and inclusive Government had not expired until the time an election shall be held. The rally was the second of his tour of Matabeleland South where he held meetings with traditional leaders in Matobo District on Saturday before proceeding to Beitbridge yesterday. Among those who attended the rally were, MDC-T national chairperson Lovemore Moyo, Women's Assembly chair Theresa Makone, Water Minister Sam Sipepa Nkomo, Deputy Information Minister Murisi Zwizayi and national executive member Seiso Moyo, among others. www.herald.co.zw