elections marred by violence and accusations that famine relief food was used to blackmail voters. Another 30 MPs are nominated to the 150 seat house by Mugabe. "There must be complete reform of the electoral framework, an end to political violence and the repeal of oppressive legislation," the MDC national executive resolved, said spokesman Paul Themba-Nyathi. The party also planned to boycott Harare City Council following the banning of more than 20 of its councillors by Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo. It won elections for mayor and control of the council by an overwhelming margin, but has been at continual loggerheads with Chombo and alleges itself incapable of carrying on its work in the face of interference. "We reserve the right to withdraw from other councils in the future," said the MDC. It called for "opening up of political and democratic space" prior to the next parliamentary elections scheduled for March 2005. Independent commentators say Zanu-PF, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, is certain to win the poll under present conditions.
