News / National
UN wants to fund Zim elections
18 Apr 2013 at 11:30hrs | Views
UN officials in Zimbabwe say they want to seek a new agreement with the cash-strapped government to help fund crucial elections later this year.
But President Robert Mugabe's party said on Wednesday it has "closed the door" on possible UN funding after it charged that a visit by its cost assessment mission would be too intrusive and will interfere in the nation's internal political affairs.
The UN, responding to an official request for funds, said in a statement its officials wanted to "assess the political, legal, technical and security environment" surrounding the polls that would encompass free voting practices.
The nation's finance ministry says it can't raise the $132m needed for polls without outside help to bolster its efforts to find the cash locally.
But President Robert Mugabe's party said on Wednesday it has "closed the door" on possible UN funding after it charged that a visit by its cost assessment mission would be too intrusive and will interfere in the nation's internal political affairs.
The UN, responding to an official request for funds, said in a statement its officials wanted to "assess the political, legal, technical and security environment" surrounding the polls that would encompass free voting practices.
The nation's finance ministry says it can't raise the $132m needed for polls without outside help to bolster its efforts to find the cash locally.
Source - AP
