By-elections ruling was inevitable says Welshman Ncube

Movement for Democratic Change leader Professor Welshman Ncube says the Supreme Court ruling on the holding of by-elections was inevitable as the polls in all constituencies that are vacant were long overdue in terms of the constitution.

The MDC party leader noted the ruling is unquestionable saying the ball is now in the Ministry of Finance and that of Justice and Legal Affair's court to put their house in order ahead of the imminent by-elections.

The Supreme Court of Zimbabwe made a landmark ruling last week instructing President Robert Mugabe to gazette dates for the three by-elections in constituencies left vacant after the expulsion of MDC legislators.

However, political and legal experts are of the strong view that the Supreme Court ruling is a test case that elections can be held in all constituencies that were left vacant.

The three political parties to the GPA have also indicated their readiness to go for mini-elections in a move that will completely change the political template if the by-elections are conducted in all constituencies that are vacant.

Some quarters also posit that President Mugabe might take the opportunity to call for general elections instead of a partial election.