Harare — Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson George Chiweshe has broken the electoral body's silence on announcing election results saying the outcome of the synchronized presidential and legislative polls would be made public starting 0600 (0500GMT) hours Monday.
The ZEC chief told a live state television broadcast late Sunday night that his commission was still reconciling the votes before making public pronouncements.
"We need to make sure that what we are telling people the correct result so we are being responsible", said the ZEC. "The commission is a constitutional body and we think we have to do what are supposed to do without interference".
Chiweshe said that his commission was the only body entitled to announce the results. The ZEC chief had earlier warned the MDC against declaring its candidates winners in some constituencies. Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri also warned that political parties should not make such announcements but the MDC had defied him.
Chiweshe - who was mobbed by journalists earlier on Sunday who wanted to seek clarification as to what was causing the delay in announcing the results of the election - threatened to stop speaking to journalists if they were aggressive.
"I have to make it clear that the commission has been very accessible to journalists and media houses both those that that are here and those that are not physically represented here", said Chiweshe. "But if journalists continue with such behavior, I want to make it clear that the commission would have no business with them".
Critics have said the delay would allow President Robert Mugabe to rig in his favor. But the Zimbabwe National Students Union has warned that it would mobilize Zimbabweans to stage massive nationwide protests if Mugabe manipulates the poll.
During the run up to Saturday's polls, Mugabe told a rally at Murombedzi Growth Point in Zvimba that state security agents would be out in full force to crash any protests.
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President Mugabe shuld just pack and leave the state house.Everyone in zambia is ready to see mugabe's exit.let people with fresh ideas to repair Mugabe's mess.
Samusiko,lusaka,Zambia
I concur with you my friend. I am a Zambian studying in the US and i have been following some African events very closely especially the Zimbambwean issue. My own sister is married to a man from Zimbabwe and they live in Lusaka. I am deeply concerned about Mr. Mugabe's everlasting cling to power. With dew respect, i think it is high time for him to leave power in fresh hands. Jut see how Zimbabwe used to be, and what it is right now. It's a mess! I think if Mr. Mugabe decided to assume power again, it would be a disservice to his people and nation. Look at people like Kaunda, and especially Mandela; why can't Mugabe learn from them? Please Mr. Mugabe, for the sake of Zimbabwe, and for the sake of Africa, spare your country from further chaos by leaving office peacefully! Thank you,
Moses Ngungu Atlanta, GA usa
I am a Kenyan proffessional living and working in the US. with a piece of advice for 'comrade' Mugabe, please borrow a leaf from Daniel Arap Moi, the former president of Kenya, and go home. You and I know that you have outlived your usefulness. I fear for you and you cohorts for the day that patriotic Zimbabweans who you have taken for a ride for such a long time will decide enough is enough. Guess what, that time is now. Please go peacifully before you embarass yourself any further.
It is misleading by Samusiko to say, "Everyone in Zambia is ready to see Mugabe's exit." Let us allow Zimbabweans to decide their own destiny. Just like it happened during elections in Zambia when the people's will prevailed. The electrorate are the citizens of that country and whoever emerges as winner will have been chosen by the people of that country. It therefore shouldn't matter to Zambia who wins the elections in Zimbabwe. The elected one will still be congratulated. Bofan, Kitwe, Zambia.
Bofan, You say we should "all let us allow Zimbabweans to decide their own destiny" THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT PEOPLE THE WORLD OVER WANT! The question is WILL MUGABE ALLOW ZIMBABWEANS TO DECIDE THEIR OWN DESTINY?
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