SW Radio Africa (London)
Lance Guma
9 April 2008
George Chikumbirike, a lawyer representing the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, told the High Court on Wednesday it would be 'dangerous' for the court to order ZEC to release the presidential election results.
In the clearest sign yet that Robert Mugabe has given direct instructions for them to be withheld, Chikumbire said; 'It would be dangerous in my view to give an order because it might not be complied with ... because of outside exigencies which the party (ZEC) will be unable to control.'
The lawyer did not explain why it would be dangerous. The MDC for the past 5 days has been trying to get the courts to order a release of results from elections conducted 11 days ago.
But every day some legal technicality comes up to delay the outcome. On Wednesday Justice Tendai Uchena reserved judgement to the 14th April, saying he needed more time to consider the arguments.
Asked in court when ZEC would announce the presidential results, their lawyer Chikumbirike said this was privileged information; 'The commission has entitlement to release when it's ready.'
With a crackdown on ZEC election officials currently underway it's looking possible that Zimbabweans may never be told officially who won the presidential poll.
Results posted outside polling stations however show MDC president Morgan Tsvangirai beating Mugabe, but Zanu PF is determined to block that information. The opposition already controls parliament with 110 seats to Zanu PF's 97, but even that result is being challenged by Mugabe's regime who are demanding a recount in 16 constituencies.
Simon Muchemwa, our correspondent in Harare, meanwhile reports that ZEC officials started dismantling the command centre at the Harare Sheraton on Tuesday, in a clear sign the results might never be announced. Officials told Muchemwa that the Central Intelligence Organisation had virtually taken over the running of ZEC, while innocent officials were being victimised under a campaign meant to discredit the election.
Unconfirmed reports say Mugabe and Zanu PF now want a re-run of the presidential election, rather than a run-off. A run-off would have to be conducted within 21-days, whereas if ZEC can be forced into calling for a complete re-run on the basis of a flawed election, Mugabe can use presidential powers and postpone it at his convenience.
Independent presidential candidate Simba Makoni, who came a distant third in the election, has described the results delay as baffling. 'The inordinate delay in announcing the results of the presidential election has only served to heighten tensions and is not serving the best interest of the country,' he said.
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