by Staff Writer

The National Electoral Reforms Agenda (NERA) Youth Forum demonstration against the conduct of the 30 July 2018 harmonized election scheduled for yesterday in Harare flopped dismally owing to low turnout.

The NERA youth forum, which is composed of 13 opposition political party youth assemblies, including the MDC faction led by Nelson Chamisa, is of the view that the elections were neither free nor fair.

Sources close to the developments said the Youth Forum had initially targeted to mobilize 100 youths, a number which was reduced to 50.

“Our members from Chitungwiza, Budiriro and Mabvuku could not attend the demonstration upon hearing that The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) had reneged on its pledge to foot the transport bill,” said one of the sources.

The Youth Forum National Chairperson, Mr. Tawanda Kalonga later addressed less than 20 people that had turned up for the demonstration expressing disgruntlement on the alleged refusal by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to clear their demonstration. He threatened that NERA would continue lobbying for electoral reforms.

After the address, Mr. Kalonga and two other picketers proceeded to Parliament and Munhumutapa Building to hand over their petition. This publication could not get the contents of the petition by the time of going to print.