* Mugabe seeks court’s nod to defer by-elections
* Referendum on new constitution set for November
* Cash-strapped government needs $270 mln for polls
By Nelson Banya
HARARE, Sept 27 (Reuters) – Zimbabwean President Robert
Mugabe wants to hold elections in March, court papers showed on
Thursday, a timetable that could cause tension with his
coalition partners and regional leaders who first want reforms
to avoid a repeat of 2008 poll violence.
Mugabe, who has ruled the former British colony since
independence in 1980, was forced to form a government with rival
Morgan Tsvangirai, now prime minister, three years ago after the
disputed 2008 election.
Under the terms of the power-sharing deal new elections must
be held by next year. Mugabe’s ZANU-PF party wants the vote held
as early as possible, while Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic
Change says it should come after the adoption of a new
constitution and electoral, security and media reforms.
The Supreme Court ordered Mugabe last month to announce
dates for by-elections to fill at least 26 vacant parliamentary
seats by the end of September.
The president has made a fresh application to the High
Court, arguing the cash-strapped government cannot afford to
hold the by-elections, and said he intended to hold a general
election in six months’ time anyway.
Continued…
