MDC Will Not to Participate in Upcoming By-Elections, Focuses on Restructuring
By Staff Reporter
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has declared its decision not to participate in the upcoming by-elections, citing persisting concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process in the country.
The announcement was made by the MDC’s Secretary for Information and Publicity, Aaron Makahamadze, in a statement released earlier today.
“After extensive consultations with our party members, stakeholders, and considering the broader context of our nation’s electoral landscape, we have made the difficult decision not to participate in the upcoming by-elections. We have carefully assessed the current electoral conditions, and regrettably, we find that these conditions have not improved since the August 2023 plebiscite,” Makahamadze said in the statement.
The decision not to participate in the upcoming by-elections follows the MDC’s earlier allegations of a flawed delimitation exercise, which they believed to be unconstitutional.
According to the party, the issues that plagued the previous election remain unaddressed, and the electoral landscape remains fraught with challenges.
“We believe that true democracy is not merely about the act of voting but also about the fairness, transparency, and integrity of the electoral process. The persistent lack of electoral reforms and the absence of the necessary safeguards to ensure the integrity of our electoral system trouble us deeply,” said Makahamadze
The MDC has opted to redirect its energy and resources toward the pursuit of justice and electoral reform. They are currently pursuing a delimitation court case and will actively advocate for comprehensive electoral reforms aimed at addressing the issues that have plagued Zimbabwe’s electoral system.
“In the spirit of revitalization and reinvigoration, we are pleased to announce the restructuring of our party under the theme of the 3Rs: Reset, Restart, and Recover All. As we embark on this journey of renewal, we remain steadfast in our commitment to championing the values of social democracy, social justice, and the empowerment of our citizens,” Makahamadze declared.
The latest round of by elections set for December 9 comes in the wake of recalls instituted by self-proclaimed interim secretary general of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Sengezo Tshababngu.
