Ruling party backs Mugabe for 2008 poll

Zimbabwe's ruling party today adopted a motion to hold elections in 2008 and endorsed President Robert Mugabe as its presidential…

Zimbabwe's ruling party today adopted a motion to hold elections in 2008 and endorsed President Robert Mugabe as its presidential candidate, a party official said.

"The resolution was accepted by the cental committee ... and so both the presidential and parliamemtary elections will now be held in 2008," Nathan Shamuyarira, national ZANU-PF spokesman said after the meeting. "The candidate of the party will be the President (Mugabe) himself.

He was endorsed by the central committee at the meeting today," said Mr Shamuyarira, adding the presidential term will be cut to five years from the current six.