Zanu-PF’s just ended primary elections which were marred by allegations of rigging, intimidation and violence may indicate that the harmonised elections will be violent. This was said by the Zimbabwe Peace Project, an organisation which monitors incidents of violence linked to politics. In a statement, the ZPP said,
ZPP applauds the ruling party in its bid to strengthen internal democracy however recorded worrying trends may recur during national elections due in a few months. The overly competitive environment in which the primary elections are being contested using the ‘winner takes all system’ have potential to exacerbate sources of conflict.
Flawed and contested election outcomes may set the stage for bloody harmonized elections. As the country continues to edge closer to elections, the ZPP continues to watch all elections with a view to zero tolerance to conflict and violent conflict before during and after the elections.
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