By Takunda Chimwaka

MDC provincial members across the country have admitted that the 2018 Harmonised Elections were not rigged as claimed by that party`s leader, Nelson Chamisa, attributing the dismal performance to internal disharmony, Harare Post has learnt.

According to a party insider, the admission came out during the recently held MDC’s provincial strategic planning workshops. He said members highlighted that the loss in the 2018 harmonised elections had nothing to do with ZANU PF, but to the party’s internal problems.

“Members have since complained that the opposition party was marred with disunity and character assassination through social media.

“It was noted that there was no reconciliation programme designed after the chaotic primary elections which were heavily characterised by imposition of candidates, a development which widened factional fights.

“The legitimacy issue pushed by Chamisa is only a fantasy, to which he is running away from the real problems affecting the party,” lamented the source.

Another insider told to this publication that, MDC members at the workshops noted that the party lacked resources and could not cater for the rural electorate during its campaigns.

“The rural electorate needs agricultural inputs. Zanu PF is always there for the rural electorate, that’s why they always win the elections.

“The party is not doing much even in the MDC run urban councils, for instance Harare City Council which has the worst service delivery and Bulawayo City Council is marred with factional fights. This negatively impacts on the electorate,” commented the source.

The source further revealed that during the MDC strategic planning workshops, members resolved to focus on resource mobilisation and shift their campaigns more to the rural electorate ahead of the 2023 elections.

“A lot need to be done for the rural electorate; they lack knowledge on the MDC`s vision and ideology. The party also need to improve its information dissemination strategies,” said the source.