Zimbabwe Election Goes to Second Round

Posted on May 2, 2008

nettavison.no

What’s with the mustache? Robert Mugabe, president since 1987, has been accused of trying to rig the vote and, upon failing to do so, delaying the release of election results.

The election for Zimbabwe’s presidency made one reluctant step forward Friday as poll results were finally announced after over a month of intimidation, violence and other acts of political thuggery. Opposition candidate Morgan Tsangirai managed to beat out incumbent-for-life Robert Mugabe but failed to receive more than 50 percent of the ballots, forcing a second round of voting.

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The BBC:

The long-awaited results of Zimbabwe’s presidential poll have been announced, with the opposition’s Morgan Tsvangirai winning 47.9%, forcing a second round.

Election officials say Mr Tsvangirai beat President Robert Mugabe’s 43.2%, but neither candidate passed the 50% threshold for an outright win.

A spokesman for Mr Mugabe said the result brought no surprises.

But Mr Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said the result was “scandalous daylight robbery”.

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