By Blessing Farai Chipare
Herbert Chamuka, leader of the People’s Union Party (PUP), has said that elections do not benefit the average Zimbabwean, but instead make life even harder.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare on Wednesday, Chamuka argued that elections have failed to bring meaningful change for ordinary citizens, pointing to persistent economic and social challenges.
“There are no jobs and industries,” he said, emphasising the continued hardships faced by many Zimbabweans.
Chamuka called for a halt to the current electoral cycle, arguing that the elections are neither free nor fair.
He proposed the establishment of an inclusive government as the only viable way forward, a plan he terms the Inclusive Government Agenda (IGA).
Under this agenda, Chamuka suggested that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term could be extended, potentially for up to ten years.
“We will not allow Zimbabwe to continue holding elections under conditions that are not free and fair.
“The only way Zimbabwe can move forward is by adopting the Inclusive Government Agenda (IGA), which supports the extension of President E.D. Mnangagwa’s term as part of an inclusive government in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Chamuka and his party PUP also rejected proposals to allow members of parliament to elect the president.
“We, as the People’s Union Party (PUP) and through the Inclusive Government Agenda (IGA), are against the election of the president by members of parliament, since the people of Zimbabwe have the right to vote,” he said.
He also criticised the new Amendment 3, which allows MPs to vote for the president.
“We rebuke the new Amendment 3, which proposes that MPs elect the president,” he stated.
Further, Chamuka claimed that there has been no genuine election in Zimbabwe since 1990.
“There has not been a proper election in Zimbabwe since 1990, so elections must be suspended,” he said.
