The second round of Zimbabwe's presidential election will be delayed yet again, raising new questions over whether the opposition will take part.

The chairman of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Justice George Chiweshe, told the state-run Sunday Mail newspaper at the weekend that the law requiring a second round to be held within 21 days of the announcement of the results of the first round was unrealistic.

"It is very likely that we will extend the period," he was quoted as saying. "It was ambitious for the legislature to think that 21 days would be enough."

On Saturday, opposition leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai said he would take part in the second round, but only if conditions were in place which guaranteed free and fair elections and if it was held by May 24.

Chiweshe said the election would be held "at the earliest date" but it was clear that the opposition deadline would not be met. Chiweshe indicated that the election commission needed more money from the state to organise another round.