Tense count on as Zimbabwe rivals claim victory

HARARE: Zimbabwe’s rival presidential candidates both claimed yesterday they were heading for election victory, setting up a tense count in the country’s first vote since the ouster of longtime ruler Robert Mugabe, reports AFP.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his ruling ZANU-PF party was receiving “extremely positive” data, while opposition leader Nelson Chamisa said the MDC party was “winning resoundingly”.

The claims pointed to a contested result in the historic election, raising the prospect of competing fraud allegations and a possible run-off vote in September—required if no candidate wins at least 50 percent of ballots in the first round.

ZANU-PF has held an iron grip on power in Zimbabwe since independence from British colonial rule in 1980, and victory for the opposition would be a major upset.

Analysts have said it was unclear whether the country’s military generals, who ousted Mugabe and ushered Mnangagwa to office last year, would accept a win by the Movement for Democratic Change.

Defeat for the ruling party would likely lead “to a denunciation of the election by the Mnangagwa administration and the potential for the military to intervene to secure power for ZANU-PF,” the London-based BMI risk consultancy said.

“I am scared—is there going to be unrest?” Stone Sibanda, a 39-year-old taxi driver in Harare, told AFP. “It is a very sensitive moment. Everyone is anxious.

Estimated turnout was around 75 percent before polls closed on Monday evening after a peaceful day of voting.

 

Tense count on as Zimbabwe rivals claim victory

HARARE: Zimbabwes rival presidential candidates both claimed yesterday they were heading for election victory, setting up a tense count in the countrys first vote since the ouster of longtime ruler Robert Mugabe, reports AFP. President Emmerson Mnangagwa said his ruling ZANU-PF party was receiving extremely positive data, while opposition leader Nelson Chamisa said the MDC party was winning resoundingly. The claims pointed to a contested result in the historic election, raising the prospect of competing fraud allegations and a possible run-off vote in Septemberrequired if no candidate wins at least 50 percent of ballots in the first round. ZANU-PF has held an iron grip on power in Zimbabwe since independence from British colonial rule in 1980, and victory for the opposition would be a major upset. Analysts have said it was unclear whether the countrys military generals, who ousted Mugabe and ushered Mnangagwa to office last year, would accept a win by the Movement for Democratic Change. Defeat for the ruling party would likely lead to a denunciation of the election by the Mnangagwa administration and the potential for the military to intervene to secure power for ZANU-PF, the London-based BMI risk consultancy said. I am scaredis there going to be unrest? Stone Sibanda, a 39-year-old taxi driver in Harare, told AFP. It is a very sensitive moment. Everyone is anxious. Estimated turnout was around 75 percent before polls closed on Monday evening after a peaceful day of voting.