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the completion of the election roadmap that should pave way for general elections.
Zanu-PF says the country will go to the polls soon after the completion of the constitution-making process while MDC-T argues that there were still more than three issues to be resolved before elections could be held.

In an interview yesterday, Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo, said the completion of the constitution-making process was the only benchmark according to the Global Political Agreement that was delaying the holding of elections.

He urged Copac to expedite the remaining stages of the constitution-making process after which elections would follow.
“Our position as Zanu-PF is very clear, general elections should be held after the completion of the constitution-making process.
“Some of the issues being raised by MDC-T are not in the GPA. MDC-T is talking about re-staffing of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and we told them that Minister (Patrick) Chinamasa who is the responsible minister for that area was dealing with the issue of ZEC.

“On the issue of security sector reform, we told them that it was a no go area. They (MDC-T) also claim to be victims of political violence in the country yet evidence on the ground showed that they are the perpetrators of violence. I do not know how many times President Mugabe has denounced political violence but the MDC-T leadership continues to make inciting public statements,” he said.

A report produced by the police early this year showed that MDC-T was responsible for most of the political violence cases in the country.
On the other hand, MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora, claimed security sector reforms and staffing of ZEC were outstanding issues in the provisional document signed by all the three signatories of the GPA.

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“Completion of the constitution-making process is only one aspect of the roadmap but the main outstanding issues are yet to be resolved. These issues include eradication of State-sponsored violence, rationalisation of the secretariat at ZEC and security sector reform.

“We are not aware of any progress, especially on the most contentious issues now,” he said.
Cde Gumbo said it was only the President who has the powers to declare elections.

He said the MDC-T was afraid of elections and is raising petty issues to avoid elections.
MDC-N deputy spokesperson Mr Kuraoune Chihwayi, yesterday said his party was ready for elections provided the right conditions were in place.
“There are issues that were agreed by the three parties in the inclusive Government. Those issues should be implemented before new elections,” he said.