HARARE, March 30 (Xinhuanet) -- Major political parties contesting in Thursday's parliamentary election said Wednesday they have do netheir groundwork and are now ready for the poll.

    In separate interviews on Wednesday, the political parties urged their supporters to turn out to vote in large numbers. "Our people should go en masse and vote for ZANU-PF (Zimbabwean African National Union-Patriotic Front)," the ruling party's political commissar, Elliot Manyika said.

    "The people should vote for our party because it is the best party offering everything to the people."

    Manyika added that the party was ready for the poll and its candidates raring to go.

    He however appealed for peace and calm after the election, saying people should not get over-excited, as this was not the first time for the country to hold elections.

    "We need peace and tranquillity after the election," he said. Main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) secretary general, Welshman Ncube, said his party had done everything possible to prepare for the election.

    "We have done everything we could possibly have done under the environment which we operated in," Ncube said. "We are waiting for the verdict of the people, and remain curious to know whether people will be able to overcome theobstacles which were put on their way by the state. "

    Asked on the obstacles, Ncube said these included the closure of local media organizations, which he said should have provided people with an alternative voice to ZANU-PF, alleged use of traditional chiefs to intimidate voters and unequal access to the electronic media.

    On February 16, the government gazetted regulations allowing contesting political parties and candidates equal access to the electronic media in line with the Southern African Development Community guidelines and principles on democratic elections. Ncube urged the people to vote for the MDC, which promises to bring peace, democracy, jobs and food to the people. After the election, the people should also continue to defend their freedom and liberty, he said.

    Wilson Kumbula, president of ZANU, another opposition party, complained about disturbances his party encountered during campaigning.

    He alleged that ZANU-PF supporters disturbed their campaign meetings, curtailing their efforts to reach out to all their supporters.

    "ZANU-PF supporters disturbed our meetings and this will affect our vote," he said.

    "The election will therefore not be free and fair, whatever the election result will be," he said.

    Zimbabwean voters are going to elect 120 lawmakers of a 150-member parliament on Thursday, with an opinion survey showing that ZANU-PF is likely to win a favorable majority.

    Though five political parties are contesting the country's sixth parliamentary elections, it is largely seen as a two-horserace between ZANU-PF and the MDC.

    Several independent candidates, including former information and publicity minister Jonathan Moyo, are also contesting in the country poll. Enditem