Ruling Party Bans Election Monitors

With elections in two months, Zimbabwe’s ruling party pushed measures through parliament giving sweeping security powers to President Robert Mugabe’s government.

The main opposition party said it would appeal in court against the bills, which need Mugabe’s signature to become law.

The General Laws Amendment Bill bans independent election monitors at the March 9-10 poll and denies voting rights to millions of Zimbabweans abroad.

The Public Order and Security Bill criminalizes criticism of Mugabe and empowers the state to “protect public order and security and to deal with acts of insurgency, banditry, sabotage, terrorism, treason and subversion.”