Zimbabwe Opposition Party Says It will Field Candidates in March Elections

Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), says it will take part in parliamentary elections scheduled for March 31.

Party spokesman Paul Themba Nyathi made the announcement today (Thursday).

The party had threatened to boycott the poll if conditions are not in place to ensure a free and fair ballot.

Mr. Nyathi said the opposition continues to have concerns about the election system in the country.

The opposition and western governments, including Britain and the United States, say Zimbabwe's last two elections in 2000 and 2002 were seriously marred by irregularities.

Earlier this year, President Robert Mugabe passed legislation to reform the nation's electoral system, but the opposition has said the new provisions do not go far enough.

Some information in this report provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.