Morgan Tsvangirai gets the nod to lead the party again

Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai said Tuesday that Mr. Morgan Richard Tsvangirai, the founding president of the party, has received nominations for his re-election to that post from 11 of the party's 12 provinces.

The remaining party province, Bulawayo, where turmoil in local voting including violence between rival factions, was expected to submit its nominations by early Wednesday.

Though only the formality of voting at the party's May congress remains to return Mr. Tsvangirai to his post atop the former opposition party, the positions of party secretary general and organizing secretary were expected to be hotly contested.

Incumbent Secretary General Tendai Biti is expected to repel challenger Eliphas Mukonoweshuro. But incumbent Organizing Secretary Elias Mudzuri is facing a strong challenge from Nelson Chamisa, currently the MDC formation's spokesman.

The party's Third National Congress will be opened on Friday by Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Some 6,000 Tsvangirai MDC delegates are expected to attend.

Spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the party's national and executive councils would meet on today with committees shaping the party's constitution, resolutions and policy for the next five years through 2016.