The opposition People’s Unity Party (PUP) says the general elections scheduled for 2023 should be delayed while the government works with the opposition to address the socio-economic challenges currently bedevilling the country.
Addressing party members in Makoni at Sharara recently, PUP leader Hebert Chamuka said elections have in the past been rigged in ZANU PF’s favour, and holding them next year will not change anything. Said Chamuka:
Elections have not solved the crisis in Zimbabwe since the turn of the century, we have had disputed elections and ZANU PF has continued to rule against the will of the people.
The ruling party is divorced from the mass, which is why they have failed to turn the misfortunes of the country around.
The people want change and ZANU PF has done little to nothing to provide citizens with decent jobs and dignified lives.
… The economy is in slumps and everything that ZANU PF promised has not been delivered.
This just shows that elections are a mere ritual for ZANU PF to remain in power.
Chamuka also claimed that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is too compromised to deliver a credible election. He said:
ZEC is yet to prove that its an independent entity and its likely that the outcome of the election will be a disputed one.
You have relatives of the ruling party as members of ZEC. Do you think Kembo Mohadi’s daughter will allow her father or her relatives ZANU PF to lose?
What chance will the opposition have in such a scenario?