Zimbabwe : ZANU-PF Wants Early Elections

Zimbabwe : ZANU-PF Wants Early Elections

President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party has said Zimbabwe would go ahead with a general election next year with or without constitutional reforms.

ZANU-PF chief spokesman, Rugare Gumbo told state media that a Wednesday meeting of the party's politburo (inner cabinet) chaired by Mugabe had endorsed his drive for early elections.

The constitutional reforms are seen by many as critical to a free and fair vote.

Mugabe is into a unity government with Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) after a disputed 2008 poll and he sees no need to extend the life of the coalition.

Gumbo said: "As a party we will find ways around it, but we are very clear that elections will be held, if they cannot help us write a new constitution we will find ways, but elections will be held before June next year."

The party wants a referendum on a new constitution early next year and a general election by mid-2011, even if the referendum is not held.

The election would normally be held in 2013.

Observers say a rushed election without political reforms, including a new constitution guaranteeing basic rights, would only favour Mugabe and ZANU-PF.

Mugabe and ZANU-PF have held power since independence from Britain in 1980.

Tsvangirai's MDC is trying to mobilise regional pressure on Mugabe to deliver on outstanding reforms under the power-sharing agreement.

A small MDC faction led by Arthur Mutambara says Zimbabwe must continue with a coalition government for at least another two years to complete reforms and to allow economic recovery.

The southern African country needed time to work on political reforms, including repealing repressive legislation, opening up the media, introducing new electoral laws, and updating the voter register, Canning said.

ZANU-PF is set to officially endorse Mugabe, 86 , as its presidential candidate at an annual party conference set for mid December.

NAN/Yinka