PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC party has drafted a code of conduct which will govern and guide the party at its congress to be held in Bulawayo at the end of April.
Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga is set to be guest of honour.
The party’s organising secretary Elias Mudzuri said there would be zero tolerance for violence and bribery.
“Under the Code of Conduct, vote buying, violence, defamation, intimidation, tribalism, nepotism and other misdemeanours are liable for disciplinary action,” Mudzuri told journalists in Harare on Thursday.
The MDC’s unity will be tested when the party holds provincial elections this weekend in five provinces -- Mashonaland West, Midlands North, Masvingo, Harare and Chitungwiza.
Last week, district polls in Zengeza One, Chitungwiza, were marred by violent clashes between rival factions with one reportedly led by chairman Alex Musundire fomenting violence after its preferred candidate had lost.
Musundire, it is claimed, hired thugs from Epworth who stormed the party’s headquarters on March 24 and caused commotion which resulted in a journalist from The Daily News – Xolisani Ncube – losing his brand new digital camera after he was assaulted by the thugs.
The battle for a ticket to the national executive in Mashonaland West is likely to produce hot scenes as Japhet Karemba and Chalton Hwende appear to be leading the race.
Mudzuri said the remaining provinces will hold their elections next weekend.
The MDC Congress will run from April 30 to May 1 in Bulawayo where the labour-backed party faces its sternest test in the form of the revived ZAPU and a rival MDC faction led by Welshman Ncube.
Mudzuri said the congress will run under the theme: United, Winning – The People’s Covenant to Change.
After a string of accusations from pressure groups, the MDC appeared to change its gender policy.
Mudzuri said they would set gender equality as a priority to ensure that competent female leadership is elected at every level.