Stage set for June polls in Zim

Zimbabwe could go to the polls as early as June, with the main rival political parties saying they are ready for them.

"We are ready to go for elections as soon as the constitution-making process is finished," Zanu-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo said yesterday.

Officials from the Movement for Democratic Change, led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, as well as a breakaway faction of the party, concurred. This followed an announcement on Thursday by Zimbabwe's political leaders that they have finally agreed on a new constitution after more than two years of dispute, primarily about the sweeping powers President Robert Mugabe enjoys.

No details of the deal were released, but a coalition of pro-democracy activists said on Friday that the "sticky issues" had been resolved, paving the way towards the finalisation of the draft.

The Crisis Coalition said a referendum on the document could be held as early as April.

According to his office, Tsvangirai described the agreement as a defining moment for the nation's future.

Once the draft is finalised, Mugabe would consult with the Zimbabwe Election Commission and draw up dates for both the constitutional referendum and the general election. Douglas Mwonzora - co-chairman of Zimbabwe's parliamentary commission in charge of the constitution-making process - said the referendum on the constitution would be likely be held some time between the end of March and the start of April.

"The date of the elections will be announced by the president any time after the referendum," said Paul Mangwana, the other constitution-making process chairman.

Mugabe can announce the date of the general elections within 30 days of the new constitution coming into effect, so a June date is possible.

"This is the most likely scenario, because the president has been pushing for elections since 2010," said a senior Zanu-PF member.

Mugabe yesterday used the funeral of his late vice-president, John Landa Nkomo, who died last week after a long illness, to call for peace during the elections.

Previous polls have been marred by violence, largely attributed to Zanu-PF. - Additional reporting by Sapa-AFP-AP