MDC threatens national shutdown over looming poll

Zimbabwe's opposition leader Nelson Chamisa has threatened a 'national shutdown' if the MDC's demands for transparency and electoral reforms in the upcoming polls are not met. Speaking to his supporters in the UK, Chamisa said his supporters would not boycott the election but would mobilise its supporters to halt the vote. NewsDay reports that opposition parties have tabled a number of demands which included de-militarisation of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s secretariat, security of the vote and transparency in the production of ballot papers ahead of elections expected before the end of August. 'We have the people and if we make the call, the country will come to a standstill. It is a matter of life and death,' he added.

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