A spokesman for Zimbabwe's ruling party says a prominent Roman Catholic cleric who has criticized President Robert Mugabe is a liar.
Archibishop Pius Ncube was quoted by several news organizations on Sunday as saying that Mr. Mugabe's government had threatened to withhold food aid to certain regions if they supported the opposition Movement for Democratic Change in Thursday's parliamentary vote.
The cleric also called for a non-violent, popular uprising if Thursday's poll fails to unseat the government.
The spokesman for the ruling ZANU-PF party (Nathan Shamuyarira) called Archbishop Ncube "a mad, inveterate liar." He says the cleric is advocating the wishes of Britain and the United States, who he says want "regime change" in Zimbabwe.
Mr. Mugabe has waged attacks against former colonial ruler Britain and its current prime minister, Tony Blair, as part of his re-election strategy.
Some information for this report provided by AP,AFP and Reuters.