The Movement for Democratic Change has called on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, the Southern African Development Community and the African Union to stop the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front from forcing people to attend President Robert Mugabe’s youth rallies which kicked off in Marondera with yesterday’s ally being held in Mutare.
“This state of affairs doesn't bode well for the holding of free and fair elections in 2018,” party spokesman Obert Gutu said in a statement tonight.
Some 40 000 people are reported to have attended yesterday’s rally according to the State-controlled Herald.
“As we approach the 2018 elections, ZEC should exercise its constitutional authority to ensure that no political party, including the ruling ZANU-PF party, is allowed to force and commandeer people to attend its rallies and other meetings,” Gutu said.
“How can a free and fair election be held in an atmosphere of extreme fear and intimidation?
“We also call upon SADC and the AU to take note of the continuing and unchecked behaviour of the ZANYU- PF regime that (un)ashamedly forces and commandeers innocent and defenceless Zimbabweans to attend its political rallies.”
Gutu, however, said his party remained confident that it will easily roam to victory in next year's elections and form the next government if the climate of fear presently obtaining in Zimbabwe is rectified as a matter of urgency.
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