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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe ballot papers spark row | Zimbabwe ballot papers spark row |
| (about 10 hours later) | |
| Zimbabwe's main opposition party has accused the government of printing millions of surplus ballot papers for the presidential and legislative polls. | Zimbabwe's main opposition party has accused the government of printing millions of surplus ballot papers for the presidential and legislative polls. |
| The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says leaked documents show nine million papers have been ordered for the country's 5.9 million voters. | The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says leaked documents show nine million papers have been ordered for the country's 5.9 million voters. |
| But, the head of the electoral commission rejected suggestions that the extra papers might be misused. | But, the head of the electoral commission rejected suggestions that the extra papers might be misused. |
| Judge George Chiwese told the BBC that the vote would be free and fair. | Judge George Chiwese told the BBC that the vote would be free and fair. |
| President Robert Mugabe has accused the MDC of treasonous links with Britain. | President Robert Mugabe has accused the MDC of treasonous links with Britain. |
| OPPOSITION POLL CONCERNS Surplus ballot papers printedPresidential votes counted centrallyTens of thousands of "ghost voters"Police allowed inside polling stationsMore polling stations in rural areasState media biasFood aid only given to Zanu-PF supportersChiefs used to campaign for Zanu-PF Campaign in pictures | OPPOSITION POLL CONCERNS Surplus ballot papers printedPresidential votes counted centrallyTens of thousands of "ghost voters"Police allowed inside polling stationsMore polling stations in rural areasState media biasFood aid only given to Zanu-PF supportersChiefs used to campaign for Zanu-PF Campaign in pictures |
| Speaking ahead of the 29 March election, he said the opposition would never take power as long as he was alive. | Speaking ahead of the 29 March election, he said the opposition would never take power as long as he was alive. |
| The MDC's secretary general Tendai Biti said the claims of excess ballot papers were based on leaked documents from the government's security printers. | The MDC's secretary general Tendai Biti said the claims of excess ballot papers were based on leaked documents from the government's security printers. |
| The MDC also says 600,000 postal ballots have been ordered for a few thousand police, soldiers and civil servants. | The MDC also says 600,000 postal ballots have been ordered for a few thousand police, soldiers and civil servants. |
| While ballots are reported to have been ordered for police and military personnel and civil servants living away from home, about four million Zimbabweans living abroad are not permitted to vote by post. | While ballots are reported to have been ordered for police and military personnel and civil servants living away from home, about four million Zimbabweans living abroad are not permitted to vote by post. |
| Credibility gap | Credibility gap |
| Mr Biti said 84-year-old Mr Mugabe, who is seeking a sixth term in office, faced a no-win situation. | Mr Biti said 84-year-old Mr Mugabe, who is seeking a sixth term in office, faced a no-win situation. |
| Bigger crowds are being seen at opposition rallies | Bigger crowds are being seen at opposition rallies |
| "The credibility gap will be so huge," he said. "If he steals the election he will get a temporary reprieve but that will guarantee him a dishonourable if not bloody exit." | "The credibility gap will be so huge," he said. "If he steals the election he will get a temporary reprieve but that will guarantee him a dishonourable if not bloody exit." |
| He added that the president would probably be forced out of office in the weeks following the elections by the deepening economic crisis and the shortage of basic public services. | He added that the president would probably be forced out of office in the weeks following the elections by the deepening economic crisis and the shortage of basic public services. |
| Mr Mugabe has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980. | Mr Mugabe has been in power since independence from Britain in 1980. |
| Rallies | Rallies |
| He is being challenged in presidential polls by former finance minister Simba Makoni, who is running as an independent, and the MDC's Morgan Tsvangirai. | He is being challenged in presidential polls by former finance minister Simba Makoni, who is running as an independent, and the MDC's Morgan Tsvangirai. |
| Analysts say the election poses the biggest threat to his rule since he took office. If Mr Mugabe fails to secure 50% of the vote there will be a second round. | Analysts say the election poses the biggest threat to his rule since he took office. If Mr Mugabe fails to secure 50% of the vote there will be a second round. |
| Mr Tsvangirai told an estimated 30,000 in Harare on Sunday that he expected Mr Mugabe to "engage in every trick in the book" to win the polls. class="lp" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/default.stm">HAVE YOUR SAYIt's a country without hope with a dictator who will stop at nothing to remain in power.Barry Verona, Ex pat - now Canada class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?sortBy=1&forumID=4532&edition=1&ttl=20080327175211&#paginator">Send us your comments | |
| One music group sang to applause: "Saddam has gone, Bob is next." | One music group sang to applause: "Saddam has gone, Bob is next." |
| Mr Mugabe told some 10,000 supporters in Harare on Saturday he remained confident of victory. | Mr Mugabe told some 10,000 supporters in Harare on Saturday he remained confident of victory. |
| "Tsvangirai will never, never rule this country," Mugabe said. | "Tsvangirai will never, never rule this country," Mugabe said. |
| "Those who want to vote for him can do so but those votes will be wasted votes." | "Those who want to vote for him can do so but those votes will be wasted votes." |