Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said today his party's national council backs his call for a boycott of senate polls, but MDC ranks are divided as a pro-election faction shunned a key meeting.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has plunged into its deepest crisis since it emerged in 1999 due to a bitter row over whether to take part in a poll which critics say is aimed at consolidating President Robert Mugabe's power.
Mr Tsvangirai last month ordered a boycott of the November 26th poll, saying competing would lend legitimacy to a government that routinely rigs votes. But some MDC members defied his instructions and have registered as candidates for just over half of the 50 seats up for grabs in the elections.
Today, Mr Tsvangirai said the MDC's decision-making national council had reversed a "purported decision" it had taken last month to participate in the elections. The pro-senate election faction says Mr Tsvangirai, who has backing from leaders of the MDC's powerful youth and women's leagues, took a dictatorial position after the party's national council voted 33-31 to participate in the polls.
But Mr Tsvangirai maintains the party was evenly split over the issue and he used his presidential authority to boycott, and today the MDC boss said the party's national council had endorsed his stance.
"For the avoidance of doubt this council resolves that the MDC will not participate in the senatorial election ... and shall accordingly campaign against this election," he said, reading the resolutions of the MDC's national council meeting.
At a protest in Harare today against the extent of Mr Mugabe's powers, police arrested six people and used force to disperse political activists calling for a new national constitution, witnesses and organisers said.
Critics say Mr Mugabe is using a flawed constitution, offering sweeping powers to the president and setting no limits on presidential terms.