The Zimbabwe Election Support Network and its partners have agreed to move ahead with preparations for a presidential election in 2008 despite proposal by the ruling party to postpone the ballot until 2010 when the next general election is due.

Proponents of the election change in the ranks of the ZANU-PF party of President Robert Mugabe say the "harmonization" of the presidential and general elections will save the country money and improve the electoral process. But opposition and civil society critics say it is a scheme to extend Mr. Mugabe's term for two years.

Zimbabwe Election Support Network founder and chairman Reginald Matchaba-Hove told reporter Carole Gombakomba of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that as there is no provision under the constitution as it stands for ZANU-PF’s proposal, his group is working on the assumption the presidential vote will take place in 2008.

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