Editorial Comment: PM swimming against the tide <http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?view=article&catid=39%3Aopinion-a-analysi s&id=76087%3Aeditorial-comment-pm-swimming-against-the-tide&format=pdf&optio n=com_content&Itemid=132> Description: PDF
<http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?view=article&catid=39%3Aopinion-a-analysi s&id=76087%3Aeditorial-comment-pm-swimming-against-the-tide&tmpl=component&p rint=1&layout=default&page=&option=com_content&Itemid=132> Description: Print <http://www.herald.co.zw/index.php?option=com_mailto&tmpl=component&link=d7a e33b551c85a8e460d9686a16669848f31c2c3> Description: E-mail Saturday, 27 April 2013 00:00 Description: http://www.herald.co.zw/images/stories/tsvangiraimogiza.jpgMr Morgan Tsvangirai ELECTION 2013 is real, and as of today, there are only 64 days, just over two months left, to the expiry of the Seventh Parliament at midnight June 29 by which time elections should have been held if we are to follow the Constitution. To all intents and purposes any political party worth its salt should be on the campaign trail to win the hearts and minds of the over 5 million registered voters, and many more still registering to exercise their Constitutional right to chose leaders of their choice. This years poll is big, it is a throwback to March 1980 when we chose leaders at all levels of government, and any party worth its salt would be girding its loins right now for the battle of hearts and minds. It thus comes as a surprise that at this late hour, the MDC-T talks of lobbying outsiders for a postponement of elections when the Constitution is clear as to when elections are due. In other words, MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai is trying to ask Sadc and the African Union to help him wilfully break the law. This would have been funny if it was not tragic. We say so because in terms of the parameters set before the start of the inter-party dialogue that led to the inclusive Government, the MDC-T has had ownership of the election management system. This ownership began way back in 2004 after the adoption of the Sadc principles and guidelines on the conduct of democratic elections in Grand Baie, Mauritius, when Zanu-PF and MDC legislators debated and agreed on the implementation of the guidelines and principles. These principles were duly applied in toto in the 2005 general election and again in 2008. By way of continuation, the inter-party dialogue, another Sadc initiative, refined the environment that came courtesy of the Grand Baie principles when Zanu-PF and MDC negotiators were hammering agreements like they were going out of fashion, beginning with Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.18) Act, and amendments to Posa, BSA, Aippa and the electoral laws whose improvement is enshrined in the Electoral Laws Amendment Act. So as far as the election environment is concerned, it is streets ahead of what it was in 1980 when Zanu-PF defied the odds and won a landslide against the Smith regime and its lackeys who controlled the machinery of the state. If as those in the MDC claim, they have the support of Zimbabweans, what better way to showcase it than by beating Zanu-PF at all levels of Government to effect real and legitimate regime change? As Zanu-PF showed in 1980, it is not a constitution that can win elections, it is the voters, the same voters the MDC is taking for granted. The voters are watching and judging and come election time, the chickens will come home to roost. Elections are a purely Zimbabwean affair, it is amazing that the MDC-T leader believes he can get Sadc and the African Union to help him in defying the Constitution, the same Constitution he swore to abide by when he took the office of Prime Minister. The country cannot be in permanent election mode till Tsvangirai feels conditions are ripe for a better showing. There are many other parties besides the MDC-T that want to contest elections. There are many independent candidates who want their day with the electorate. We urge Mr Tsvangirai to stop grandstanding and focus on the election that cannot be wished away. Thé Mulindwas Communication Group "With Yoweri Museveni and Dr. Kiiza Besigye Uganda is in anarchy" Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi "Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni na Dk. Kiiza Besigye Uganda ni katika machafuko"
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