Zimbabwe March Elections

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A senior member of Zimbabwe's ruling party has said he will challenge President Robert Mugabe in 29 March polls as an independent candidate.

"I offer myself as candidate for the office of president," former finance minister Simba Makoni told reporters.

He is seen as coming from the moderate wing of the Zanu-PF but does not have a strong grass-roots support base.

The two opposition Movement for Democratic Change factions are each fielding candidates in the election.

In its December congress, Zanu-PF endorsed Mr Mugabe as its presidential candidate in the 29 March election, despite speculation that he would face a challenge from within his party.

Other senior party officials than Mr Makoni had been seen as Mr Mugabe's most likely challengers, but none of them has challenged Zimbabwe's long-time leader in public.

'Excitement'

Mr Makoni, 57, said he would have liked to contest the election on behalf of Zanu-PF but also blamed its leaders for Zimbabwe's economic crisis.

"I share the agony and anguish of all citizens over the extreme hardships that we all have endured for nearly 10 years now," he said.

"I also share the widely held view that these hardships are a result of failure of national leadership and that change at that level is a pre-requisite for change at other levels of national endeavour."

The BBC's Peter Greste says Mr Makoni could pose a stronger challenge to President Mugabe than the divided opposition.

But our correspondent notes the former finance minister is standing as an independent and so will not have access to any of the resources of the ruling party or the state to help his campaign.

He is believed to have the backing of Zanu-PF heavyweight Solomon Mujuru, whose wife Joyce is vice-president.

Zimbabwean political analyst John Makumbe told the BBC that Mr Makoni's candidature was a "significant development".

"It will split the Zanu-PF, Mugabe vote," he said, especially if he does indeed have Mr Mujuru's backing.

MDC MP Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga said Mr Makoni was very courageous to publicly challenge Mr Mugabe.

"There is a lot of excitement about this," she said.

Economic crisis

Mr Makoni has been mentioned as a possible compromise candidate between different Zanu-PF factions and even the opposition for many years.

After 18 months as finance minister, he was sacked in 2002 over policy differences with Mr Mugabe.

The MDC had insisted on a new constitution before the elections, as well as guarantees they would be free and fair.

Previous polls have been characterised by violence and allegations of fraud.

Zimbabwe has the world's highest annual rate of inflation - 26,000% - and only an estimated one adult in five has a job.

Mr Mugabe's critics blame the economic crisis on his policies, especially the seizure of white-owned farms.

He blames a western plot to bring him down.quote>

BBC NEWS

[BurroDiablo 222]

I don't see him winning... I see another typical rigged African election... and if there is a 'Western plot to bring him down', I hope it succeeds...

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Warning on Zimbabwe victory claim

Results have been posted outside polling stations Counting the votes

Zimbabwe's government and electoral chiefs have warned the main opposition MDC it should not declare an early victory in the presidential poll.

The MDC, which has repeatedly expressed fears of rigging, has started to quote unofficial returns, saying it has 67% of the vote so far and "has won".

The electoral commission said it was "concerned" at the "purported" results.

The information minister accused the MDC of "speculation and lies" and "causing unnecessary havoc".

Incumbent President Robert Mugabe was facing a challenge from the MDC's Morgan Tsvangirai and the independent Simba Makoni.

House of Assembly, Senate and local elections were held on the same day. Officials say the final results may not be known for a few days.

Commission's plea

The secretary general of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Tendai Biti, says it has returns from one-third of polling stations.

He [Mugabe] is going to get the shock of his life because they are not voting for him. Mugabe will be out by Monday night Bomba Zimbo, Harare

[nazaguy 0]

I hope he gets kicked out, and has to ride out the rest of his years in Saudi or something. Its the only place in the world where people can say that the blacks were better off under a white supremacist then under a black leader.

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

Wait 'til someone discovers oil there, we'll go and clean him out then.

[BurroDiablo 222]

Originally posted by: manticorefan Wait 'til someone discovers oil there, we'll go and clean him out then.quote>

Yeah, because Oil is the route of all evil. People will just forget the fact he's a twat

[Boggy1 45]

Right now the polls are standing at:

Mugabe: 26

Opposition: 25

Breakaway Party: 1

A party needs to get 50 to have a good chance of winning..

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Zimbabwe's rivals neck and neck

Some newspaper vendors are selling papers for three times the cover price

Almost two-thirds of Zimbabwe's parliamentary results have been declared, with the ruling party and opposition very close.

Zanu-PF has 64 seats, while the opposition has 67, and 79 yet to come.

In the presidential race, there is increasing speculation that a run-off may be needed between President Robert Mugabe and his rival Morgan Tsvangirai.

This is the projection from both an independent monitoring group and what Zanu-PF sources have told Reuters.

The electoral commission has urged people to be patient while Saturday's votes are checked.

Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change says he won and the delay is to allow the outcome to be rigged.

ELECTION RESULTS SO FAR Parliamentary constituencies MDC-Tsvangirai: 62 Zanu-PF: 64 Breakaway MDC faction: 5 Yet to declare: 79 Presidential results None so far Winner needs more than 50% to avoid run-off Source: ZEC Results according to ZESN: Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC: 49% Robert Mugabe, Zanu-PF: 42% Simba Makoni, Independent: 8% Key role for security chiefs Voters react to delays

Mo

[Boggy1 45]

Preliminary results show that Mugabe has lost the election. He is expected to make a public announcement within the hour. The US Embassy has confirmed that various ambassadors have been summoned to a hotel in the capital to meet with the Government.

If Mugabe does lose, and if the opposition party comes into power, then it may put Zimbabwe in an exceedingly delicate position. What must not happen is civil rife and civil war; causing the collapse of the Government, and thus anarchy. Foreign powers need to start pouring in money, and start supporting the Government (if indeed the MDC does acheive power). Zimbabwe needs to become the 'breadbasket of Africa' again, and not a country where hyperinflation is hundreds of thousands of percent.

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The US State Department has confirmed that talks are now talking place for a transitional government.

I am also hearing that several leading members from the police and army are involved in order to allow for a smooth transition in power with the possibility for immunity for some of their crimes. The UK government has also confirmed that should the government change they have ready emergency aid shipments to be immediately sent to Zimbabwe on the acceptance by the new government.

[Boggy1 45]

Now the update is that there will be no talks yet, and that no party has won anything yet, and that neither party has reached past 50%. The situation is so confounded and confusing, noone really knows what is going on.

[Simfan34 11]

Hopefully these elections shall result in the fall of Mugabe and his ZANU-PF.

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

BBC is reporting that negotiations are underway between the opposition and Mugabe, but the MDC says they are not.

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Zimbabwe emergency talks called

The Zambian president says the region must work together to find a solution

Zambia has called for an emergency meeting of southern African leaders on the Zimbabwean presidential poll delay.

The announcement by the Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa marks the first move by Zimbabwe's neighbours to intervene since the elections.

South Africa's governing party leader Jacob Zuma has criticised the 11-day delay in announcing results.

His approach contrasts with South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki, who has urged patience.

Presidential and parliamentary elections were held on 29 March but the presidential results have still not been released.

President Robert Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party lost its majority in parliament for the first time since independence in 1980.

I don't think it augurs very well ANC's Jacob Zuma South Africa's key role Barroso in change plea 'We are under siege'

The opposition party - Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) - is still hoping that legal action in the High Court will lead to the immediate release of the presidential results.

The judge in charge of reviewing the petition has said he will try to come to a decision on Monday.

"Conscious of the urgency of the matter, I am of the view that if I exert myself to study the submissions, I should be ready with a judgement on Monday," said judge Tendai Uchena.

The EU has made its most outspoken remarks so far on Zimbabwe's election

[nazaguy 0]

Mugabe needs to give it up. Hes getting too old for this sort of thing.

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Mugabe attacks opposition and UK

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has denounced the opposition and former colonial power Britain in his first speech since the disputed elections.

"Down with thieves who want to steal our country," he told crowds marking 28 years of independence.

The outcome of the presidential poll is unclear but the high court has rejected an opposition bid to stop a recount.

Meanwhile, South African dock workers are refusing to unload a shipment of arms from China destined for Zimbabwe.

The South African Transport and Allied Workers Union said it did "not agree with the position of the government not to intervene".

Reports say the Chinese cargo ship An Yue Jiang, anchored off Durban, is carrying 3m rounds of ammunition, 1,500 rocket-propelled grenades and 2,500 mortar rounds.

On Thursday, Morgan Tsvangirai, the leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said South African President Thabo Mbeki needed to be "relieved of his duties" as a mediator in the crisis caused by the presidential poll, for which results have not been released.

[Simfan34 11]

Ridiculous... how can a court rule NOT to release electoral results?!?!

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Because they either fear the consequences or are in the pocket of Mugabe.

I am disgusted by the situation in Zimbabwe currently. The people made their wish clear when they voted and yet Mugabe continues to remain in power as a result of a combination of factors. The first is the iron fist he rules and destroyed the country with. Another is the total disgrace that South Africa and southern African nations have presided over. Not wanting to 'offend' Mugabe seeing him as a symbol of anti-colonial rule and all that ****. Thabo Mbeki should be absolutely ashamed of himself and he is doing nothing but give South Africa a bad image.

This situation further gives the impression to the world that democracy in Africa is a joke and they are incapable of governing themselves without engaging in corruption and violence. This is not true as some nations have done very well given the challanges they have faced but the current situation does nothing to help those nations.

The current state of Zimbabwe is such an awful tragedy. This nation was one of the most successful in Africa, providing food to neighbours and was known as the 'bread basket' of Africa. They had a stable economy, high educational and health rates and good life expectancy. Mugabe himself was praised in the beginning for bringing the populations together and making the country work earning respect in Africa and around the world.

The country today could not be any different, 80% unemployment, life expectancy down to 34, an massive AIDS problem, food shortages and inflation of over 100,000%. The country has been completely devastated. All the while the cronies around Mugabe drive around in Mercedes limousines, eat quality food and live in sprawling estates. Mrs. Mugabe also frequetly travels to South Africa on her regular shopping sprees. While this is perfectly acceptable for a country where the people do not go without jobs and life's basic, it is completely disgusting to see it happening here.

I feel very strongly about Zimbabwe, a nation that showed so much promise after independence from the UK (and NO!! the years of colonial rule have nothing to do with this situation) this has been creatly purely by Mugabe and his thugs themselves.

I can only hope the situation improves and he is removed from power. However I am growing increasingly dubious that such a thing will happen. Africa has had the perfect opportunity to show the world they are capable of operating democratic structure in the 21st century........yet again they have reverted to comradeship and ignored the greater issues. If Africa continues like this then they are a lost cause and in my view nations that do such things and their governments are undeserving of billions of western aid. It's just pouring money into a black hole of African political corruption and should instead be diverted to aid agencies.

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Churches fear Zimbabwe 'genocide'

Zimbabweans say they have been beaten up for supporting the opposition

Church leaders in Zimbabwe have called for international action to prevent post-election violence developing into genocidal proportions.

African countries and the UN should intervene to deal with a "deteriorating" situation, they said.

The opposition says it won the 29 March presidential poll outright, but results are yet to be released.

Meanwhile, a Chinese ship carrying weapons to Zimbabwe may return to China after being blocked in South Africa.

Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said the ship's owners were considering bringing the arms back, amid international pressure not to let the ship unload its cargo.

But on Tuesday the ship was located off Africa's southernmost point, the Cape of Good Hope, and was said to be heading in a north-westerly direction.

Recount

In a joint statement, leaders of the main religious denominations warned against leaving the post-election deadlock unresolved.

"If nothing is done to help the people of Zimbabwe from their predicament, we shall soon be witnessing genocide similar to that experienced in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi and other hotspots in Africa and elsewhere," they said.

Robert Mugabe is a liberation hero on our continent and he must be convinced to make a graceful exit Morgan Tsvangirai

"We appeal to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the African Union and the United Nations to work towards arresting the deteriorating political and security situation in Zimbabwe."

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) and its leader Morgan Tsvangirai insist they beat President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party outright in presidential and parliamentary polls.

An election recount for 23 out of 210 constituencies that had been due to end on Monday, has been delayed for an unknown period.

The MDC has rejected the recount as illegal.

Violence

On Tuesday Mr Tsvangirai said the Zimbabwe Election Commission had been discredited and he would not accept any run-off.

Speaking in Ghana, he appealed for help from the international community.

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Tsvangirai 'wins' Zimbabwe vote

Morgan Tsvangirai says he won the poll and Mr Mugabe should step down

Zimbabwe's electoral commission has told an all-party meeting that Morgan Tsvangirai won almost 48% in March's presidential election, reports say.

The result would mean the Movement for Democratic Change leader is 2% short of the 50% required to avoid a run-off against President Mugabe, who won 43%.

A source at the meeting told the BBC the figures were tabled at the start of the process to verify the final result.

Earlier, Mr Tsvangirai insisted he had won an outright victory in the poll.

On Wednesday, government sources told reporters that Mr Tsvangirai had beaten the president, but had not won enough of the vote to avoid a second round.

The opposition and human rights groups have accused the authorities of waging a campaign of violence to ensure Mr Mugabe wins any run-off.

Dispute

The crucial meeting at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) offices began what officials called the "verification process", in which representatives of the candidates each presented their calculations for the final result.

How can you have a run-off when Mugabe over the last month has been unleashing violence, death squads and violence against our structures? Morgan Tsvangirai Movement for Democratic Change The unending election count Key role for security chiefs Send us your comments

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Tsvangirai to run in second round

Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he will contest a presidential run-off, despite fears of widespread poll violence.

Speaking in South Africa, he said people would feel "betrayed" if he did not run, and vowed to return shortly.

Mr Tsvangirai called for an end to violence, as well as full access by international monitors and media.

Official first-round results put him ahead of President Robert Mugabe, but not by enough votes to win outright.

Mr Tsvangirai had earlier insisted he had secured more than 50% of the vote, and that there was therefore no need for a second round.

On Saturday, he told reporters that his Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) had faced a "very difficult" decision but that after consulting supporters in Zimbabwe, it had decided to take part.

"I am ready, and the people are ready for the final round," he said.

The opposition leader went on to demand "unfettered access of all international observers" and journalists covering the vote.