Updated 6pm with BA comments

Alternattiva Demokratika's representative Ralph Cassar today refused to take part in “the parody of a debate” saying it was being organised by the “Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe".

The BA had reached “the pits of political servilism to the PL and PN” since the new chairman was appointed a few weeks ago, AD chairman Arnold Cassola said.

AD said the BA had scrapped all of the three debates in which it was involved with the Nationalist Party and the Labour Party, had recommended that Xarabank leaves out the Green Party from the two debates where the leaders were involved, and objected to an AD candidate appearing for 10 minutes on the programme Skjetti.

Meanwhile, candidates on the PN and PL lists were given 24-hour exposure daily on these stations, and taking the Broadcasting Authority for a ride by pretending to be guests rather than presenting the programmes themselves, which they do in reality.

Updated with BA comments

The Broadcasting Authority denied any allegation of censorship and unfair treatment levelled against it by AD, saying that the attack was "unjust, and uncalled for, and based on unfounded accusations".

"The BA reiterates that the time allotted to AD in its scheme of political broadcasts is in line with its regulations, and takes into account the prevalent circumstances," it said in a statement.

It also rebutted AD’s claims regarding its participation in Xarabank and Skjetti, emphasising that it did not put forward any recommendation or objection in this regard.