Zimbabwe: Election Credibility At Risk - Tsvangirai

MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai said the forthcoming election will not be credible regardless of the peaceful environment in the build up to the crucial polls.

Speaking to journalists on Friday morning Tsvangirai said the election is not going to be credible because of the reports of intimidation and attempts to rig the polls.

"What we have seen on the ground so far is clear evidence that the credibility of this election is at serious risk. There is clear evidence of manipulation and a desperate attempt to subvert the people's will," Tsvangirai said.

Tsvangirai also said "We have received reports that ballots are being printed at Police Headquarters which would be flouting the laws regarding tender procedures. Zec itself has refused or ignored our requests to give us this information which we say is a direct violation of the Constitution."

He also said that his party is going into this election "with a heavy heart because the reforms we have agreed under the auspices of Sadc have not been implemented while the regional body's resolutions meant to create an environment for a credible election has been completely ignored."

The MDC-T leader also dismissed reports made by the African Union Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma that in her meeting with opposition parties they never mentioned issues of violence and allegations of rigging.

Dlamini Zuma told journalist at the AU observer mission pre-election statement press briefing that all the candidates were happy with the build up to the elections and that no one raised the issues of violence and rigging.

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  • mrzyphl
    Jul 27 2013, 13:41

    The SADC only agreed to let the election go ahead without reforms because they didn't want to interfere with the sovereignty of the Zimbabwe courts. They know that Mugabe and his cronies are playing games with the process. When the final vote results and observer reports are in we will see Mugabe finally retire and his thugs brought to justice.