Zimbabwe Election Goes to Second Round

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.

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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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.