Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe results finally published

Article published on the 2008-05-02 Latest update 2008-05-03 16:17 TU

President Mugabe (l) and oppositon leader Tsvangirai (r)
(Photos: Reuters. Layout: RFI)

Zimbabwe's electoral commission has finally released the results of the country's controversial presidential poll. The main opposition party has said it will meet "within days" to decide whether or not to participate in a run-off against President Robert Mugabe, who has said he will take part in the second round.

The results were finally released more than a month after the controversial presidential election.

Chief elections officer Lovemore Sekeramayi said Tsvangirai took 47.9 per cent of the vote against Mugabe who polled 43.2 per cent. Since neither candidate won more than 50 per cent, a second-round run-off will have to be held.

The date for the run-off is yet to be announced.

The MDC, which has consistently maintained it won a clear majority in the first round, reacted furiously to what it called the "scandalous" announcement, but gave no immediate indication on whether it would contest a second round.

Tsvangirai himself has said he sees no need for a run-off, although under the terms of the constitution, Mugabe would automatically be declared the winner if his rival were to pull out.

The British Foreign Office says the results 'lack credibility' and a second round of voting would not be fair unless more international monitors were present.