Zim rules out poll delay

HARARE – Zimbabwe will not postpone March’s parliamentary polls as suggested by the opposition, because that would illegally extend the mandate of President Robert Mugabe’s government, the state Herald newspaper reported yesterday.

Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, said last week the elections may have to be postponed to allow for proposed electoral reforms and bring polls in line with new regional democratic standards. The Herald quoted Foreign Affairs Minister Stan Mudenge as ruling out a postponement in a speech to foreign ambassadors.”It will be illegal for us to do that and we will be attacked for remaining in power without the people’s mandate,” Mudenge said, adding that the MDC had made no official request.”We have only read about it in the press and they have not expressed this in parliament (so) at the moment we say this is speculation,” Mudenge added.Mugabe’s government, under pressure from the regional Southern African Development Community, has proposed reforms that include setting up an electoral commission, increasing the number of polling stations, reducing polling from two days to one day and using transparent ballot boxes.Tsvangirai, who was acquitted in October of treason charges accusing him of plotting to assassinate Mugabe, said the MDC was still reserving its decision on whether to take part in the March vote.- Nampa-ReutersThe Herald quoted Foreign Affairs Minister Stan Mudenge as ruling out a postponement in a speech to foreign ambassadors.”It will be illegal for us to do that and we will be attacked for remaining in power without the people’s mandate,” Mudenge said, adding that the MDC had made no official request.”We have only read about it in the press and they have not expressed this in parliament (so) at the moment we say this is speculation,” Mudenge added.Mugabe’s government, under pressure from the regional Southern African Development Community, has proposed reforms that include setting up an electoral commission, increasing the number of polling stations, reducing polling from two days to one day and using transparent ballot boxes.Tsvangirai, who was acquitted in October of treason charges accusing him of plotting to assassinate Mugabe, said the MDC was still reserving its decision on whether to take part in the March vote.- Nampa-Reuters