It’s a bogus election that’s null and void, declares Tsvangirai

 

Mr Morgan Tsvangirai 

By By Kitsepile Nyathi 

In Summary

• Although official results were expected to start trickling in late yesterday, Zanu-PF officials have been claiming resounding victory on social networks.

Harare. Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai yesterday declared the country’s General Election null and void on the claim that it did not meet the basic requirements of a credible poll.

Mr Tsvangirai, who was making a third attempt to unseat President Robert Mugabe, gave the remark as unofficial results of the Wednesday polls indicated that the veteran ruler was poised for a landslide victory.

“It’s a sham election that does not reflect the will of the people. In our view, this election is null and void. This election has been a huge farce,” he told journalists in Harare.

Mr Tsvangirai later issued a statement in which he says: “In our view, this election does not meet the Sadc (Southern Africa Development Community), AU (Africa Union) and international standards for a credible, legitimate, free and fair election.”

He furthers says that the credibility of the election has been marred by administrative and legal violations which affect the legitimacy of its outcome.

The Prime Minister’s reaction came hours after President Mugabe’s Zanu-PF looked headed for a big win following Wednesday’s vote. Observers also said early indications showed that his main rival, Mr Tsvangirai performed below expectations.

Although official results were expected to start trickling in late yesterday, Zanu-PF officials have been claiming resounding victory on social networks.

The claims have been backed by poll monitors who are relying on results being posted outside polling stations whenever vote counting is concluded.

Zanu-PF has since posted a disclaimer on its Twitter feed saying the results being peddled by its officials were not authorised.

President Mugabe has threatened to arrest anyone who releases the election results without the approval of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

Mr Tsvangirai, presidential candidate from Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T), is seen as the most serious challenger to the country’s veteran president’s 33-year rule. His harsh criticism came as electoral officials continued to count the votes from Wednesday’s peaceful General Election, in which voters cast the ballot to pick a president, parliamentarians, and local council leaders.

Meanwhile, the Premier’s statement drew immediate criticism from the Sadc Electoral Commission Forum, which sent a 25-men team to observe the elections