HARARE : Shoo-In for Mugabe

Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF Party, led by President Robert Mugabe, is set for another landslide victory in national elections this weekend. Mugabe has ruled the southern African nation virtually unchallenged since the former Rhodesia won independence in 1980.

Even before the voting begins, Zanu is assured of victory. Some 53 Zanu candidates for Parliament are running unopposed. Added to seats appointed by Mugabe, or posts given to tribal chiefs aligned with him, that will leave Zanu needing only four more seats for a majority.

Eight smaller parties are boycotting the election, claiming corruption and electoral bias have stifled democracy. The campaign rallies have been marked by electoral violence in many areas of the country.