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Zimbabwe poll was 'free, honest and credible' - African Union Zimbabwe poll was 'free, honest and credible' - African Union
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwe's presidential and parliamentary elections were "free, honest and credible", the African Union observer mission's head has said.Zimbabwe's presidential and parliamentary elections were "free, honest and credible", the African Union observer mission's head has said.
Olusegun Obasanjo said the incidents reported during Wednesday's poll could not "change the outcome".Olusegun Obasanjo said the incidents reported during Wednesday's poll could not "change the outcome".
The largest observer group said earlier the poll was "seriously compromised".The largest observer group said earlier the poll was "seriously compromised".
President Robert Mugabe's party is claiming victory in the election, which was rejected as a "huge farce" by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.President Robert Mugabe's party is claiming victory in the election, which was rejected as a "huge farce" by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
On Wednesday, voters were choosing a president, 210 lawmakers and local councillors. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has five days to declare who won the poll.On Wednesday, voters were choosing a president, 210 lawmakers and local councillors. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has five days to declare who won the poll.
First official results from national assembly elections show that Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party is taking an early lead. However, the seats announced were mostly in Mr Mugabe's rural strongholds, correspondents say.First official results from national assembly elections show that Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party is taking an early lead. However, the seats announced were mostly in Mr Mugabe's rural strongholds, correspondents say.
Zanu-PF spokesman Rugaro Gumbo predicted that Mr Mugabe - who is running for a seventh term - would get at least 70% of the vote in the presidential poll.Zanu-PF spokesman Rugaro Gumbo predicted that Mr Mugabe - who is running for a seventh term - would get at least 70% of the vote in the presidential poll.
"We are expecting a landslide victory," he was quoted as saying in Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper."We are expecting a landslide victory," he was quoted as saying in Zimbabwe's state-run Herald newspaper.
Zanu-PF and Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have shared an uneasy coalition government since 2009 under a deal brokered to end the deadly violence that erupted after a disputed presidential poll the previous year.Zanu-PF and Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have shared an uneasy coalition government since 2009 under a deal brokered to end the deadly violence that erupted after a disputed presidential poll the previous year.
'Not verifiable''Not verifiable'
Speaking in the capital Harare on Friday, Mr Obasanjo said the elections were fair and free "from the campaigning point of view".Speaking in the capital Harare on Friday, Mr Obasanjo said the elections were fair and free "from the campaigning point of view".
The former Nigerian president admitted that there were "incidents that could have been avoided", but he stressed that the AU observers did not believe they could change the overall outcome of the poll. The former Nigerian president admitted that there were "incidents that could have been avoided", but he stressed that the 69 AU observers did not believe those irregularities could change the overall outcome of the poll.
His assessment sharply contrasted to that by the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) - the largest group of domestic monitors. His assessment sharply contrasted to that by the Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN) - the largest group of domestic monitors with some 7,000 people on the ground throughout the country.
It said on Thursday that the elections were "seriously compromised", with as many as a million people being unable to cast their ballots.It said on Thursday that the elections were "seriously compromised", with as many as a million people being unable to cast their ballots.
The ZESN said potential voters were much more likely to be turned away from polling stations in urban areas, where support for Mr Tsvangirai is strong, than in President Mugabe's rural strongholds.The ZESN said potential voters were much more likely to be turned away from polling stations in urban areas, where support for Mr Tsvangirai is strong, than in President Mugabe's rural strongholds.
The group also alleged significant registration irregularities before the poll. The group also alleged significant irregularities before the poll. It said that 99.7% of rural voters were registered on the electoral roll in June compared with only 67.9% of urban voters.
But speaking to al-Jazeera, Mr Obasanjo questioned ZESN's conclusions, describing them as "not verifiable".But speaking to al-Jazeera, Mr Obasanjo questioned ZESN's conclusions, describing them as "not verifiable".
He said he was satisfied that the apparent anomalies between registration between urban and rural voters mentioned by ZESN had been explained by the registrar-general, who had the accurate figures for birth and death.He said he was satisfied that the apparent anomalies between registration between urban and rural voters mentioned by ZESN had been explained by the registrar-general, who had the accurate figures for birth and death.
Mr Obasanjo also said that Mr Tsvangirai's camp should have addressed concerns about the electoral roll before the vote - not after.Mr Obasanjo also said that Mr Tsvangirai's camp should have addressed concerns about the electoral roll before the vote - not after.
Legal challenges The AU observer mission's assessment of the elections is a big boost for President Mugabe and a heavy blow for his opponents, the BBC's Andrew Harding in Johannesburg says.
On Thursday, Mr Tsvangirai said the elections were "null and void". It is unclear now how Mr Tsvangirai intends to fight on, our correspondent adds.
"Our conclusion is that this has been a huge farce. The credibility of this election has been marred by administrative and legal violations which affected the legitimacy of its outcome. On Thursday, the prime minister said the elections were "null and void".
"It's a sham election that does not reflect the will of the people." "Our conclusion is that this has been a huge farce... It's a sham election that does not reflect the will of the people."
Another observer mission - the Southern African Development Community - is expected to give its verdict on the elections later on Friday.Another observer mission - the Southern African Development Community - is expected to give its verdict on the elections later on Friday.
It is illegal to publish unofficial election results in Zimbabwe. Police have warned they would take action against anyone trying to leak early results.It is illegal to publish unofficial election results in Zimbabwe. Police have warned they would take action against anyone trying to leak early results.
Extra units - some in riot gear - have now been deployed in Harare. Extra units - some in riot gear - have been deployed in Harare.
Under the electoral law, if no presidential candidate gains 50% of the ballots, a run-off will be held on 11 September.Under the electoral law, if no presidential candidate gains 50% of the ballots, a run-off will be held on 11 September.
Legal challenges are now likely to follow, the BBC's Andrew Harding in Johannesburg reports.
But much will depend on whether Zimbabwe's neighbours endorse the poll, our correspondent adds.