Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change is in celebratory mood after partial announcement of last Saturday's poll results indicated that the MDC Tsvangirai faction had taken the lead.

However more than 36 hours after polls had closed, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has just managed to release results for only six parliamentary seats.

These are Chegutu South which went to the MDC as well as Mutasa South and Mutare Central which also have been won by the opposition led by Tsvangirai.

The MDC has also won another seat in Goromonzi while the ruling Zanu PF party has snatched up the Chipinge Central parliamentary seat as well as the Mutoko North seat.

While the election was given a generally clean bill of health from a regional observer mission, the United States reiterated its reservations and said Mugabe was a disgrace to the whole of Africa.

"The delay in announcing these results is fuelling speculation that there could be something going on," said Noel Kututwa, the head of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network which was an official observer on Election Day.

"The announcement of results in a timely, transparent and accountable manner helps reduce tensions following any election."

The MDC says it will not await official confirmation of results as it strongly believes it is well poised for a landslide victory.

Tensions are high in Zimbabwe, particularly in the main cities of Harare and Bulawayo were the opposition commands majority following as compared to the ruling Zanu PF party.

Biti said the party's assessment was based on unofficial returns posted at polling stations where counting had been completed.

Asked why he was not waiting for the commission to announce results, Biti said: "We don't trust the ZEC, which is not independent."

"We made a mistake in 2002 by not claiming our victory. We made a mistake in 2005 by not claiming our victory.

"We will not accept the results of any stolen election as a party."

Biti said its own research showed the party had virtually wiped out the ruling ZANU-PF in the capital Harare and the southern city of Bulawayo and Tsvangirai had a clear lead in the presidential contest.

"In Bulawayo we have won all the 12 house of assembly seats and...In Harare we have won 28 out of 29."

Mugabe's spokesman George Charamba meanwhile fired a warning to Tsvangirai, who has twice been charged with treason, against an early victory claim.

"He announces results, declares himself and the MDC winner and then what? Declare himself president of Zimbabwe? It is called a coup d'etat and we all know how coups are handled," Charamba told the state-run Sunday Mail.

---

Share This Story On:

Average user rating