THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has suspended all electoral activities in a move analysts described as a way of aiding Thokozani Khupe’s MDC-T to appoint its legislators without going through by-elections where they are likely to face a humiliating defeat to Nelson Chamisa’s MDC Alliance.

The suspension of electoral activities citing COVID-19 regulations came after Khupe has recalled four MDC Alliance MPs following a Supreme Court ruling declaring her the acting leader of the MDC-T.

In a statement yesterday, Zec chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana said the suspension of elections was done in accordance with the COVID-19 measures announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to curb the spread of the pandemic.

“Following the suspension of all electoral activities by Zec in response to measures announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent review of the level one lockdown to level two, the commission will conduct activities that do not violate lockdown measures using skeletal staff,” Silaigwana said.

He further said this was in line with a COVID-19 electoral practice policy that is being finalised by the commission, whose finer details will be announced soon.