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Mugabe trying to 'steal election' Mugabe trying to 'steal election'
(20 minutes later)
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is trying "to steal the election", over three weeks after the disputed poll, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband says.Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is trying "to steal the election", over three weeks after the disputed poll, UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband says.
In a strongly-worded House of Commons statement, he said: "No-one can have any faith in this recount."In a strongly-worded House of Commons statement, he said: "No-one can have any faith in this recount."
He accused Mr Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party of having "unleashed a campaign of violence" against Zimbabweans who voted against him. He said the "ludicrously slow rate" of the count fuelled suspicion that Mugabe "is seeking to reverse the results".
The outcome of a partial recount of the disputed elections has been delayed. The world is witnessing "a charade of democracy", he said. The outcome of a partial recount has been delayed.
Electoral officials began the recount in 23 out of 210 seats on Saturday and said it would take three days.Electoral officials began the recount in 23 out of 210 seats on Saturday and said it would take three days.
'Campaign of violence'
The MDC opposition, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, says the recount is illegal and claims it beat Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF outright in the 29 March polls.The MDC opposition, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, says the recount is illegal and claims it beat Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF outright in the 29 March polls.
Zimbabwe's government rejects this and accuses the opposition of being stooges for the UK government.
And Mr Miliband has cast doubt on the security of the ballot boxes held by the authorities since polling day, noting that election officials have been arrested.And Mr Miliband has cast doubt on the security of the ballot boxes held by the authorities since polling day, noting that election officials have been arrested.
We can have little confidence that whatever is ultimately announced as the presidential election results will not have been sullied and contaminated by rigging through this recount David MilibandUK Foreign Secretary
"The constitutional crisis in Zimbabwe continues as President Mugabe persists in his ambition to steal the election," he said in a written statement."The constitutional crisis in Zimbabwe continues as President Mugabe persists in his ambition to steal the election," he said in a written statement.
"Most worryingly, President Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party have unleashed a campaign of violence against those ordinary Zimbabweans, 60% of them, who in spite of everything, voted against him." "Most worryingly, President Mugabe and his Zanu-PF party have unleashed a campaign of violence against those ordinary Zimbabweans, 60% of them, who in spite of everything, voted against him.
"Political refugees from the rural areas that were once President Mugabe's heartlands but have had the courage to express their opposition peacefully through the ballot box have been pouring into urban centres to receive medical treatment and support."
He said local and international NGOs (non-governmental organisations) were "highlighting these abuses daily".
"Evidence that they are taking place is irrefutable," he said.
'Uncertain conditions'
"I believe all would join the government in condemning absolutely these acts of violence which are cynically intended to punish people for the choices they have made and to intimidate them into submissions should any second round of the presidential election be called."
On the recount in 23 constituencies, Mr Miliband said: "No-one can have any faith in this recount.
"The ballot boxes have been kept in uncertain conditions. The Electoral Commission has seen 13 of their number arrested in a clear effort to threaten and punish those who did their job independently.
"The count itself is proceeding at a ludicrously slow rate.
"This only serves to fuel suspicion that President Mugabe is seeking to reverse the results that have been published, to regain a majority in parliament, and to amplify his own count in the presidential election.
"If that is the case, then what we are witnessing is a charade of democracy.
"We can have little confidence that whatever is ultimately announced as the presidential election results will not have been sullied and contaminated by rigging through this recount."