Mukwedeya, Tatenda G.2014-11-202014-11-2020132013-12Mukwedeya, T.G. (2013). Brief 4 : REFLECTIONS on the Movement for Democratic Change's defeat in the July 2013 Election in Zimbabwe. UPEACE Africa Policy Series, 1(1): 39-45.http://hdl.handle.net/10625/53305The defeat of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC),28 in the July 2013 general election in Zimbabwe offers important insights from which opposition parties within the country and across the continent can draw. Whilst there have been claims that the Zimbabwe African National Union (Patriotic Front) (ZANU PF) massively rigged the vote, the MDC requires an introspection as a political party. This brief details some major weaknesses that led to the MDC’s dismal performance. Essentially, the party lost its focus on the electorate through undemocratic practices in the party, increased social distance from its constituency, and the failure to form an electoral pact with other opposition parties. The brief makes three recommendations. First, the MDC should favour an internal direct popular election instead of the Electoral College system, which suppresses popular will. Second, voter registration and education campaigns should not be perceived as events but rather as significant processes in their aspirations towards election victory. The MDC has to start to mobilise the vote now by engaging and enlightening various constituencies in preparation for the 2018 general elections. Finally, the formation of electoral pacts is advisable for opposition parties attempting to wrestle power from a dominant party.Text1 digital file (p. 39-45)Application/pdfenZIMBABWEELECTORAL PROCESSPOLITICAL CORRUPTIONELECTORAL SYSTEMSPOLICY MAKINGVOTER REGISTRATIONPOLITICAL CHANGEPOLITICAL PARTIESPolicy Brief