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MDC claims 'utter rubbish'
26/03/2008 10:48 - (SA)
Harare - Zimbabwe's justice minister has dismissed as "utter rubbish" claims by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) that the political playing field is uneven ahead of national polls.
Zimbabweans are preparing to elect a new president, parliament and local councillors on March 29, but the MDC had expressed fears of vote rigging.
"They (MDC) are preparing the ground to explain their defeat," Patrick Chinamasa charged during a lengthy interview on state television late on Tuesday.
Last week, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai accused the Zimbabwe government of printing nine million ballot papers for only 5.9 million registered voters.
The veteran opposition leader, who was challenging President Robert Mugabe for the second time since disputed polls in 2002, also accused the veteran leader of abuse of power.
Electoral commission 'biased'
He said Mugabe's decision to amend electoral laws to allow police into polling stations - ostensibly to assist illiterate or disabled people to vote - could be a ploy to intimidate voters.
"He (Tsvangirai) is participating under the clear understanding that the political playing field is level," Chinamasa insisted.
Chinamasa dismissed claims by the MDC and human rights groups that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission was biased in favour of Mugabe and his ruling Zanu-PF party.
He said the commission was the product of dialogue between the two parties. "They've got members who are there (on the commission) who are MDC members," said Chinamasa, accusing the MDC of "nit-picking".
The minister also dismissed dire forecasts that political tensions in Zimbabwe between Zanu-PF and the MDC could erupt into violence similar to that which followed Kenya's disputed elections. He said an uprising in Zimbabwe was a "pipedream" of media hostile to the Harare government.
"The majority (in the country) cannot revolt against itself. There will be no violence," Chinamasa said. "MDC will be wiped out politically."
A recent opinion poll gave Tsvangirai an 8% lead over Mugabe with 28.3% of votes. Mugabe garnered 20.3% and independent presidential candidate Simba Makoni took just 8.6%.
Sapa-dpa
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