A Senior MDC official who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com said that the MDC Standing Committee meeting held on Wednesday agreed that the party would open contestation to other positions including the secretary general. Said the source:
There was serious debate around which positions should be contested. In the end, the group that was pushing for democracy in the party carried the day.
Surprisingly even some returning comrades like (former secretary general and current deputy national chairperson) Tendai Biti argued hard to have all positions contested.
Meanwhile, party spokesperson Jacob Mafume said that no decision has been made adding there are proposals to allow for other positions to be contested:
The national standing committee met and took note that the constitution is clear that the election goes up to the position of vice chairperson. From the secretary general going downwards, the president can appoint.
However, presentations have been made to open up the contestation to the position of organising secretary. The suggestion is the president appoints deputy treasurer general and deputy organising secretary to allow for capacity and gender balance.
It has also been suggested that the president as is the norm appoints the secretary for information, the deputy and all other portfolio secretaries.
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