Zimbabwe ‘can’t afford an election’
Tendai Biti said yesterday his ministry only has cash for a census in August and a referendum on a new constitution scheduled for about the same time.
President Robert Mugabe has called for elections this year to end a fragile three-year coalition with former opposition leader, prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai. The coalition was formed in 2009 after disputed and violent elections in 2008.
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Hide AdThe finance ministry is controlled by Mr Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change party under the power-sharing deal.
Mr Mugabe has insisted that “money has to be found” for elections to go ahead this year, with or without a new constitution. Mr Tsvangirai says elections can only be held after constitutional reforms are complete.
Mr Mugabe, 88, has been nominated by his Zanu-PF party as the sole presidential candidate.
Mr Biti likened the census and the referendum to elections, in terms of spending.
“We have provided money for a referendum and also going to have elections in the form of a census,” he said. “We can’t afford a third election.”