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"A comprehensive, collaborative elections resource."
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Zimbabwe opposition claims victory ahead of results
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| Parent(s) |
Race
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| Contributor | Ashley |
| Last Edited | Ashley Mar 30, 2008 10:36am |
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| Category | News |
| News Date | Sunday, March 30, 2008 03:55:00 PM UTC0:0 |
| Description | HARARE - Zimbabwe's opposition claimed victory Sunday in a general election even before first results were announced, as the United States branded President Robert Mugabe a disgrace to the whole of Africa.
Despite warnings that a pre-emptive declaration would be seen as tantamount to a coup, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) said it was the certain winner and had secured nearly all parliamentary seats in the two main cities.
Fearful of post-poll violence, security forces remained on high alert. They arrested 13 activists and two aspiring lawmakers during a punch-up between rival factions of the MDC in Harare, but there was no major unrest.
"This far, short of a miracle, we have won this election beyond any reasonable doubt. We have won this election," MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti told a news conference.
Biti said the party's assessment was based on unofficial returns posted at polling stations where counting had been completed. And he cast doubt on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, a supposedly independent body whose executives are appointed by Mugabe. |
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