Zim invites observers for polls
19/10/2005 22:49  - (SA)  

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Harare - The Zimbabwe government has invited local observers to monitor the controversial elections for a new senate next month, say reports on Wednesday.

The Herald reported: "Justice, legal and parliamentary affairs minister comrade Patrick Chinamasa said those wishing to observe the polls should submit their names to the ministry before October 31."

The elections were set for November 26, but it remained uncertain about whether the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), would participate.

The party's leader Morgan Tsvangirai had said they would boycott the polls because Zimbabwe's electoral system "breeds illegitimate outcomes".

But, other senior officials said they would abide by a decision from the MDC's national council in favour of participation.

The justice ministry said observers would have to give a report to the Electoral Supervisory Commission after the senate polls.

The Herald said preparations for the polls were now under way with voter registration now already in progress.

Voters would be voting for 50 senators in the 66-seat body. Ten other senators were traditional chiefs, while President Robert Mugabe directly appointed six.

- SAPA

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