Amy Musgrave
21 April 2008
Johannesburg — CONTROVERSY over the Zimbabwean elections continued yesterday, with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) making fresh allegations of vote rigging and violence against its members.
The MDC's claims come amid the slow recounting of ballots in 23 constituencies, and mounting international pressure for African leaders to take more decisive action to bring about a political solution to the stalemate in Zimbabwe.
Electoral authorities were recounting the parliamentary vote in 23 constituencies -- won by the MDC -- at the request of the ruling Zanu (PF).
MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti told reporters in Johannesburg that the recount could overturn the results of the parliamentary election, in which Zanu (PF) lost its majority to the MDC. The ruling party needs nine more seats for a simple majority in parliament.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said yesterday the recount, which began on Saturday, would take longer than expected. "There were delays yesterday and I am not sure the results will be available after three days as initially indicated. It might be more than that," a ZEC spokesman said.
Biti said Zimbabwe was now "in a war situation" after the disputed election on 29 March. He said violence was continuing to escalate, with 10 MDC electoral officials having been killed since the election, and almost 400 of its members arrested.
Most of Africa's leaders, including President Thabo Mbeki, have been accused of being silent on the Zimbabwean crises. However, Kenya's new prime minister, Raila Odinga, appealed yesterday for African countries to speedily resolve the crisis, saying the "age of dictators was long gone". African National Congress president Jacob Zuma, who has been vocal about the situation in Zimbabwe, is expected to speak out while touring Europe this week.
The African Union has called for the immediate release of the election results, and has appealed to all Zimbabwean parties to show restraint pending the recount, which does not have the support of the MDC.
Biti said ballot boxes had been opened and not resealed, and that V forms outside polling stations -- which show how many votes each party received -- had been tampered with.
He also alleged that Zanu-PF had printed fresh ballot papers with the same serial numbers as those used on March 29 so that the ruling party could rig the recounting.
He said the recount, which was being monitored by lawyers for the MDC, was illegal because by law all ballot material had to be destroyed within 14 days of the vote, except where an electoral petition had been filed.
Biti said his party was concerned about the escalation of violence since the election. He said about 3000 families had been displaced, 400 MDC activists arrested and 500 of the party's members hospitalised.
"What is happening now is actually worse than what happened during the war of liberation. We are now forced to become a Red Cross," he said.
"There is war in Zimbabwe that is being waged by a regime that has no authenticity."
He appealed for humanitarian assistance, saying the poor in regions were the MDC received support were deliberately not been given food aid.
United Nations (UN) secretary-general Ban Ki-m oon is expected to hold talks with African leaders in Ghana this week on Zimbabwe while attending the UN conference on trade and development.
With Reuters, Sapa-DPA
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Britain has no hair! Bring in the troops and take down this killer and his troops! Watch them run when real troops come! This man needs to brought forth for his crimes! He is the worst terrorist that is out there! The KKK hasn't killed as many blacks as this butcher! There's an idea! Let the KKK have him and as many of his troops as they can catch!
Mr., it is such silly and immature thinking that has caused Africans much suffering in their recent history. The British monarchical establishment is very much aware of the Zimbabwean situation as it is using its historical "divide and conquer" tactics to influence the situation on the ground. The only difference is that now, they use the media to do these things.
Southern Africans, this is a West African speaking. Wake up!! Do not let another generation of your children become prey for the Britons and their business, NGO, media and political network. Solve your problem in your own way and on your own time. And realise that this ARMS FROM CHINA STORY is British propaganda at its best. Again, wake up!!
The Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA) have released a very useful report yesterday - recommended reading for all interested in the counting, re-counting and possible rigging of the Zimbabwean elections.
The 15 page report is titled ‘The Inconvenient Truth: A complete guide to the delay in releasing the results of Zimbabwe’s presidential poll.’, and can be downloaded in .pdf format from the sokwanele.com website: http://www.sokwanele.com/thisiszimbabwe/archives/891
There is detailed analysis of just how Zimbabwean electoral law has not been followed by the ZEC during the events subsequent to the election day.
This is the IDASA Mission Statement:
IDASA is an independent public interest organization committed to promoting sustainable democracy based on active citizenship, democratic institutions and social justice.
I think this has just shown how shallow minded ZANU PF is. The results were posted on each polling station and showed what had transpired.
The "law" also states that a recount can only be done 48hrs after the results have been announced. The reason i put it in qoutes is because I do not think there is any law above ZANU PF.
I think that Mugabe lost the elections and as he has always vowed that Tsvangirai will never rule Zimbabwe, this is what is happening. Now Mugabe is dogging all gatherings for SADC by giving excuses.
Any level headed person knows that they are now rigging the votes. It all clear. Mugabe should just tell us that there is no need to vote because whatever the result he will hold on to power.
There are foriegn observers in the country so i guess you dont trust them too? Morgan was claiming victory before the first count was even complete - how can that be? The mdc were allways going to cry about rigged elections,deaths,beatings ect. It's the same old story - They will say and do anything to win. Zimbabwe is in this position because of the mdc.
No you are dreaming The Movement for Democratic change was formed precisely for what the name stands for democratic change and why would a democratic movement spontaneously form in a country where everything are supposed to be peachy. The truth is Mugabe and ZANU messed up big time and made millions suffer MDC are powerless compared to what criminal acts Mugabe has done to our country. No body is blind every one knows that MDC are not to blame. The liberation struggle was supposed to have ended 28 years ago so where is our freedom and prosperity? Mugabe lost the election and must go now! No games.
Kub, get out of New Zealand & go back to Zim. You talk of how great it is and that no one is starving and how the MDC and Western World are to blame for its troubles. Surely if you believe that load of garbage you talk, you would NOT live in the WESTERN WORLD and you would be in Zim with your BELOVED leader. Seriously GO, stop going on about how your work takes you here and there. If you really believed in what you say you would be there fighting for what you think is right not hiding behind a desk in a Western (Enemy) Country. Your bullshit is getting old now.
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Okay well we know this recount is being rigged and come on they have not even released the results this should tell you something is very wrong here.
Please I hear the African nations talking about Zimbabwe but you are doing nothing. the people of Zimbabwe needs action not words now so step in and do something! That is the problem too much talkings and not doing anything which helps no one but Mugabe and his regime..