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Anxious wait for Zimbabwe results Zimbabwe's rivals neck and neck
(about 2 hours later)
Zimbabweans are anxiously awaiting more results from Saturday's election, which have been slow to emerge. Almost two-thirds of Zimbabwe's parliamentary results have been declared, with the ruling party and opposition very close.
An independent monitoring group says opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai got 49% of the vote - just short of the 50% needed to avoid a run-off. Zanu-PF has 64 seats, while the opposition has 67, and 79 yet to come.
Official presidential results have not been published, but Mr Tsvangirai's party says he won and the delay is to allow the outcome to be rigged. In the presidential race, there is increasing speculation that a run-off may be needed between President Robert Mugabe and his rival Morgan Tsvangirai.
Ruling Zanu-PF and the opposition are very close in the parliamentary vote. This is the projection from both an independent monitoring group and what Zanu-PF sources have told Reuters.
Zanu-PF has 64 parliamentary seats, while the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has 67 in total, with 79 seats still not declared, according to official results. The electoral commission has urged patience while votes are checked.
ELECTION RESULTS SO FAR Parliamentary constituencies MDC-Tsvangirai: 62Zanu-PF: 64Breakaway MDC faction: 5Yet to declare: 79 Presidential results None so farWinner needs more than 50% to avoid run-off Source: ZECResults according to ZESN: Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC: 49%Robert Mugabe, Zanu-PF: 42%Simba Makoni, Independent: 8% Key role for security chiefsVoters react to delays
Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change says he won and the delay is to allow the outcome to be rigged.
More than half of the parliamentary results have been released, with Zanu-PF and the MDC very close.
Five of the opposition seats have gone to a breakaway faction of the MDC.Five of the opposition seats have gone to a breakaway faction of the MDC.
Correspondents say the streets of the capital, Harare, have been quiet, but security in parts of the city is tight. BBC correspondents say the streets of the capital, Harare, have been quiet, but security in parts of the city is tight.
But the mood is turning from elation to despondency as the delay in releasing the full results drag on, they say.But the mood is turning from elation to despondency as the delay in releasing the full results drag on, they say.
The air is thick with expectation and with rumour. The parts of the country we have seen are very calm and, in some cases, unusually quiet BBC's Ian Pannell BBC hears hopes of changeKey role for security chiefs
Mr Mugabe has insisted that the vote would be free and fair.Mr Mugabe has insisted that the vote would be free and fair.
A Zanu-PF spokesman says Mr Mugabe is headed for re-election but would accept defeat.A Zanu-PF spokesman says Mr Mugabe is headed for re-election but would accept defeat.
The MDC claims Mr Tsvangirai has won 60% of the presidential vote, against 30% for President Robert Mugabe. Support
The international community has urged Zimbabwe to give the results soon.The international community has urged Zimbabwe to give the results soon.
Foreign ministers from seven European Union countries "called on the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission to swiftly announce all official election results, especially the results of the presidential election".Foreign ministers from seven European Union countries "called on the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission to swiftly announce all official election results, especially the results of the presidential election".
The air is thick with expectation and with rumour. The parts of the country we have seen are very calm and, in some cases, unusually quiet BBC's Ian Pannell BBC hears hopes of changeBrown: World is watching
Washington said the vote should be counted honestly and reflect the will of the people. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the eyes of the world were on Zimbabwe.Washington said the vote should be counted honestly and reflect the will of the people. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the eyes of the world were on Zimbabwe.
John Sawers, British ambassador to the United Nations, said that if the elections did herald a change of leadership, "there would be a huge groundswell of support for a new government prepared to address the fundamental problems that exist in Zimbabwe".John Sawers, British ambassador to the United Nations, said that if the elections did herald a change of leadership, "there would be a huge groundswell of support for a new government prepared to address the fundamental problems that exist in Zimbabwe".
Rumours
Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) says Mr Mugabe came second in the presidential race with 42%, while independent candidate Simba Makoni on 8%.Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) says Mr Mugabe came second in the presidential race with 42%, while independent candidate Simba Makoni on 8%.
If correct, these results would mean a run-off would be required within three weeks.If correct, these results would mean a run-off would be required within three weeks.
It based its projected results on a sample of 435 of the 9,000 polling stations, which it says were analysed by independent statisticians.It based its projected results on a sample of 435 of the 9,000 polling stations, which it says were analysed by independent statisticians.
ZESN head Noel Kututwa said "the public needs to know, everyone is anxious to know who their next president is going to be".ZESN head Noel Kututwa said "the public needs to know, everyone is anxious to know who their next president is going to be".
Nana Ampofo, an analyst for Global Insight, which specialises in political and economic forecasting, says the delay is cause for concern. Two Zanu-PF sources told Reuters news agency that their party's projections were similar, with 48% for Mr Tsvangirai, against 43% for Mr Mugabe.
ELECTION RESULTS SO FAR Parliamentary constituencies MDC-Tsvangirai: 62Zanu-PF: 64Breakaway MDC faction: 5Yet to declare: 79 Presidential results None so farWinner needs more than 50% to avoid run-off Source: ZECResults according to ZESN: Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC: 49%Robert Mugabe, Zanu-PF: 42%Simba Makoni, Independent: 8% class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7322262.stm">Voters react to delays class="" href="/1/hi/uk_politics/7323042.stm">Brown: World is watching class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7322727.stm">Bloggers want results "We are looking at a re-run," the source said.
"The manner in which results for parliamentary constituencies are balanced 50-50 between the MDC and Zanu PF, it will raise eyebrows," he said. However, BBC correspondent Peter Greste urges these figures to be treated with caution, as the ruling party is divided at the moment.
"It's still not clear that the election results are fixed but there are definitely reasons to be concerned." The MDC claims Mr Tsvangirai has won 60% of the presidential vote, against 30% for President Robert Mugabe.
Rumours have circulated as people await results, and government has been forced to deny speculation that Mr Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, had gone to Malaysia or was planning to impose a state of emergency.Rumours have circulated as people await results, and government has been forced to deny speculation that Mr Mugabe, who has been in power since 1980, had gone to Malaysia or was planning to impose a state of emergency.
Riot police have been patrolling the capital, Harare, and other urban areas and residents have been told to stay indoors.Riot police have been patrolling the capital, Harare, and other urban areas and residents have been told to stay indoors.
A BBC correspondent, in Zimbabwe despite a ban on the BBC operating there, says initial optimism that change is coming is evaporating.
Our correspondent said there were some army units on the streets but there was no major deployment.
Local results have been posted outside most polling stations since Sunday morning.Local results have been posted outside most polling stations since Sunday morning.
Presidential, House of Assembly, Senate and local elections were all held on Saturday, and election officials say that this is why results have been slow to come.Presidential, House of Assembly, Senate and local elections were all held on Saturday, and election officials say that this is why results have been slow to come.
Are you in Zimbabwe? Did you vote in Saturday's election? What happened in your constituency? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below or by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 - and let us know if you do not want your full name to be published.Are you in Zimbabwe? Did you vote in Saturday's election? What happened in your constituency? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below or by text on +44 7786 20 50 85 - and let us know if you do not want your full name to be published.
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