MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai says his party will not tolerate imposition of candidates and vote buying among party members
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai is blaming an unknown person or group, perhaps state security agents, for dumping pamphlets throughout the country with messages urging Mr. Tsvangirai, the party president, to stop imposing candidates in advance of elections next year.
Party spokesman Douglas Mwonzora said the red pamphlets bearing the MDC logo have been strewn in Mutare, Harare, Gweru and other districts in a bid to denigrate Mr. Tsvangirai ahead of the elections.
The MDC will hold its primary elections this month using a confirmation system that requires sitting members of parliament and councillors to garner a two thirds majority vote in secret ballots from party structures in their provinces.
However, those hoping to become candidates have complained that this system protects incumbents.
Last week Mr. Tsvangirai told a party rally in Buhera, Manicaland Province, that they will not tolerate imposition of candidates and vote-buying saying this was contrary to the wishes and aspirations of the party.
The MDC-T has in the past held primary elections which at times have turned violent with candidates fighting for positions.
President Robert Mugabe’s Zanu PF party normally holds primaries ahead of each election, which have sharply divided the party over the years.
Zimbabwe is set to hold general elections next year that will bring to an end the unity government formed in 2009 by two MDC formations and Zanu PF following violent elections in 2008.
