Why ZANU-PF is in a hurry to hold elections

The Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front favours early elections because of concerns over 89-year-old Robert Mugabe’s ability to endure another campaign. The MDC, in contrast, is pushing for a later date because electoral reforms are needed first.

This is the view of Nils Tensi in a policy document for the European Parliament written at the end of May before Mugabe had set the election date which is presently under review.

The document, a quick policy insight into Zimbabwe’s 2013 general elections says hopes are high that the elections could become a landmark event for the democratic transition of the country.

“Zimbabwe can move beyond 33 years of hegemonic rule under Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF), possibly allowing Morgan Tsvangirai of the Movement for Democratic Change ( MDC) to lead the country’s political change,” the paper says.

But the paper admits that support for the MDC has waned over the years, adding that a change of government may only have a slim impact on democratic quality.

It says, government turnover does not guarantee democratic change in Zimbabwe.

“ZANU-PF lacks democratic roots; but the MDC has, for its part, done little to prove its trustworthiness.

“Rather than asking who is in power, international analysts might want to put a stronger focus on how to actually improve Zimbabwe’s political culture and institutions,” the paper says.

It also says foreign actors need to be aware of the high degree of suspicion prevalent in Zimbabwe.

“The international community should act with great care to avoid unintentionally causing a counterproductive backlash.”

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