MDC might boycott elections
13/09/2005 22:14  - (SA)  

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Harare - Zimbabwe's main opposition is to decide this week whether it will boycott elections to a newly created senate to be held later this year, said a spokesperson on Tuesday.

But, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), which held 41 seats in the 150-seat parliament, had already dismissed the upper house as a distraction from Zimbabwe's mounting economic and political troubles.

William Bango of the MDC said: "This is a crucial decision. The national executive will meet on Thursday or Friday and they will vote on whether or not the party is contesting."

The 66-member upper house of parliament would comprise of 10 traditional chiefs, 50 elected senators and six appointed by President Robert Mugabe.

Elections 'not a priority for MDC'

This was created under a constitutional amendment passed by parliament two weeks ago and signed by the Zimbabwean leader.

In a recent newspaper interview, Tsvangirai said the senatorial elections were "not a priority for the MDC".

Tsvangirai said: "Our priority as MDC is to solve the present national crisis.

"It does not make sense to endorse the establishment of a senate when the majority of the ordinary people are clamouring for food.

"The MDC was not formed to put people in the legislative house as an end, but to resist tyranny.

"We can't be seen to be endorsing tyranny by taking part in these senatorial elections, which are clearly not a priority to the party."

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