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Zimbabwe Political Parties Face Stiff Youth Challenge Ahead Of Elections
http://www.africaeagle.com/2013/01/zimbabwe-political-parties-face-stiff.html
Top officials from Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party face a stern test, as youths from the party have vowed to challenge them in primary elections to select candidates ahead of a national poll.
The MDC has called on prospective candidates to submit their resumes and indications are that several of those in the top brass are likely to be challenged.
Applications from eligible party members interested in contesting the primaries opened last week and close on January 31.
But the party is yet to come up with a formula for holding the primary elections, raising fears that these could be divisive if not handled with care.
MDC youths have already demanded that they be allocated 30 percent of the contested parliamentary seats, while the party also has to come up with a quota for its women's assembly.
The party's constitution has a complex way of selecting candidates, where before any primaries are held, constituency members are given a chance to endorse an incumbent legislator.
If the incumbent fails to garner a two thirds majority, then primaries elections are held in that constituency.
But critics say this is a ploy by the party leadership to save the incumbents from losing their seats. The restive youth wing says the clause should be waived.
But the leadership has argued that by sticking to constitutional provisions, the party would retain experienced legislators in the hope that their experience would be useful in government should the MDC win forthcoming elections.
The youth assembly is already at war, as its leader Solomon Madzore has openly declared that he is eyeing a constituency presently held by Heneri Dzinotiweyi, the Minister of Science and Technology.
Other cabinet ministers likely to face a bruising fight from young aspirants include Finance minister Tendai Biti, Tapiwa Mashakada (Economic Planning), Theresa Makone (Home Affairs) and Joel Gabbuza Gabuza (Public Works).
Douglas Mwonzora, MDC spokesperson, said the primaries are penciled for end of January or beginning of February.
However, Mwonzora said claims that the primaries would create further divisions due to the alleged protection of incumbents from other aspirants were misplaced.
"As a matter of fact, we are very happy and encouraged by this huge show of interest from people of all walks of life as it shows that Zimbabweans view the MDC-T as the party for the future, a party on the verge of making history.
"These people want to be part of making of history," he said.
Applications from eligible party members interested in contesting the primaries opened last week and close on January 31.
But the party is yet to come up with a formula for holding the primary elections, raising fears that these could be divisive if not handled with care.
MDC youths have already demanded that they be allocated 30 percent of the contested parliamentary seats, while the party also has to come up with a quota for its women's assembly.
The party's constitution has a complex way of selecting candidates, where before any primaries are held, constituency members are given a chance to endorse an incumbent legislator.
If the incumbent fails to garner a two thirds majority, then primaries elections are held in that constituency.
But critics say this is a ploy by the party leadership to save the incumbents from losing their seats. The restive youth wing says the clause should be waived.
But the leadership has argued that by sticking to constitutional provisions, the party would retain experienced legislators in the hope that their experience would be useful in government should the MDC win forthcoming elections.
The youth assembly is already at war, as its leader Solomon Madzore has openly declared that he is eyeing a constituency presently held by Heneri Dzinotiweyi, the Minister of Science and Technology.
Other cabinet ministers likely to face a bruising fight from young aspirants include Finance minister Tendai Biti, Tapiwa Mashakada (Economic Planning), Theresa Makone (Home Affairs) and Joel Gabbuza Gabuza (Public Works).
Douglas Mwonzora, MDC spokesperson, said the primaries are penciled for end of January or beginning of February.
However, Mwonzora said claims that the primaries would create further divisions due to the alleged protection of incumbents from other aspirants were misplaced.
"As a matter of fact, we are very happy and encouraged by this huge show of interest from people of all walks of life as it shows that Zimbabweans view the MDC-T as the party for the future, a party on the verge of making history.
"These people want to be part of making of history," he said.
