The rank and file members of the country's defence forces are fully behind the MDC forming a new government, according to a senior legislator in the party.

Giles Mutsekwa, the MDC MP for Dangamvura-Chikanga in Mutare, said he has received assurances from several senior military officers that they would pledge their allegiance to the next commander-in-chief of the defence forces.

Reports in Harare say the defence chiefs, led by General Constantine Chiwenga, are reluctant to let Robert Mugabe concede defeat to Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC.

Mutsekwa, a retired army Major claimed there were a few 'rotten eggs' within the defence forces that were against a change of government through democracy, because they've benefited hugely from Robert Mugabe's patronage.

'Look, I'm in daily contact with several senior officers from the army, airforce, the police and CIO who say they will salute the office of the Head of State,' Mutsekwa said.

He added; 'these are professional soldiers who were trained to salute the office of the Head of State and not personalities like Robert Mugabe. If General Chiwenga and company are uncomfortable with saluting the next head of state, then we may as well start working on their golden handshakes for them.'

A week before the elections General Chiwenga threatened voters who backed Robert Mugabe, saying Morgan Tsvangirai and Simba Makoni, were sell-outs and agents of the west's regime change agenda in the country.

He declared that the military would not salute anyone except Mugabe, in what analysts said was a clear threat to stage a military coup in the event the Zanu-PF leader lost the polls.

The military is credited with keeping Mugabe in power and being always ready to use brutal tactics to keep public discontent in check, in the face of the economic meltdown that has spawned hyperinflation and shortages of food, fuel, essential medicines, hard cash and just about every basic survival commodity.