Posted on 03/10/2002 8:19:43 PM PST by Clive
author/source:Advertiser (Australia)
published:Sun 10-Mar-2002
posted on this site:Sun 10-Mar-2002
Article Type : News
Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's power base appeared to be crumbling around him last night as public anger mounted over the chaotic state of the country's landmark election. Support from within his own party was draining away and there were angry scenes outside polling stations for a second day as ruling party servants launched deliberate stalling tactics aimed at creating a go-slow in voting.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change was last night seeking clarification from the electoral commission as to whether the weekend ballot would be extended for two days in order to clear a significant backlog of voters, many of whom were made to stand in line for up to 11 hours to cast their vote.
Citing hundreds of incidents of ballot-rigging, intimidation and disenfranchisement, the MDC had legal papers drawn up ready to launch a court challenge to government claims that the election had been free, fair and conducted in accordance with the constitution.
But Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa indicated it was unlikely an extension would be granted. Instead, he claimed, extra polling stations were being opened in busy urban areas such as Harare and officials from less busy stations redeployed at places where demand was higher.
Anyone still in a queue at 7pm on Sunday night Zimbabwean time -- the official closing time -- would still be allowed to cast a vote, he said.
Despite the obstacles placed in its way, the MDC was jubilant at the high voter turnout, which in some constituencies reached levels 50 per cent above those of the June 2000 parliamentary election.
"Voter intimidation has failed," shadow justice minister David Coltart said. "Zanu-PF tried to deter people from exercising their democratic right, but they have not achieved that aim. The voters have turned out in massive numbers."
Australian federal Liberal MP Julie Bishop, who is observing the election in remote Matabeleland North province, said large gangs of intimidating youths had been roaming the countryside.
"We've seen them in dozens of locations, sometimes the same group, but different groups all over the countryside," she said. "They are one of the more worrying features ... They are out here to make their presence felt."
Although boasting of a pending victory, it was clear that Mr Mugabe was losing support as respected Zanu founding father Eddison Zvobgo broke ranks to call for the formation of a government of national unity. Dr Zvobgo said he hoped Mr Mugabe would accept a dignified exit from power in the likely event of electoral defeat.
He spoke of Zimbabwe's controversial land-grab scheme as the "devil which has spoiled everything", and referred to unconstitutional legislation that Mr Mugabe attempted to drive through last month as having been "bristling with arrows pointed at the heart of freedom".
It is understood Dr Zvobgo is far from alone in turning his back on Mr Mugabe. A number of Zanu- PF figures have issued serious signals that they have had enough.
Dr Zvobgo dismissed threats made last week by the Government's External Affairs chief, Didymus Mutasa, that Zanu-PF would initiate a military coup to keep Mr Mugabe in power if opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai won.
Hinting at deep rifts in the President's political and military circle, Dr Zvobgo said the party's official position was that it would abide by the result and would not tolerate attempts to subvert it.
"There are plenty of other sources who strengthen that view," he said. "We are a democratic people here."
He acknowledged that there could yet be a coup attempt, but appeared confident that few within the armed forces would actually join it.
"Even if such a thing happened and succeeded, it would not be permanent," he said.
Dr Zvobgo's tacit withdrawal of support is a devastating blow for Mr Mugabe. A lawyer by profession, Dr Zvobgo is viewed on both sides of parliament as a man of integrity. In 1963, he announced the formation of the Zanu party and wrote the party's constitution.
He is a former member of the politburo and has served at ministerial level in various government departments for more than 20 years. His constituency of Masvingo South holds 600,000 registered voters, the third-highest concentration in the country.
In an oblique reference to Mr Mugabe's habit of blaming others for Zimbabwe's woes, Dr Zvobgo said: "I am not one who believes in blaming the world for the plight in which we find ourselves. Sure, some factors were beyond our control, but others were within our grasp and we either mismanaged or we hesitated and lost an opportunity."
That's good news. If he loses in the first counting, will he pull an Algore and demand a recount?
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