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| Zimbabwe run-off poll predicted | Zimbabwe run-off poll predicted |
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| Zimbabwe could be heading for a presidential run-off within three weeks, according to the state-owned Herald newspaper. | Zimbabwe could be heading for a presidential run-off within three weeks, according to the state-owned Herald newspaper. |
| The first official indication of the result of Saturday's election says that neither President Robert Mugabe nor his main challenger gained 50% of the vote. | The first official indication of the result of Saturday's election says that neither President Robert Mugabe nor his main challenger gained 50% of the vote. |
| Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said his party would issue its own results if the commission did not. | Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said his party would issue its own results if the commission did not. |
| He says he won the poll but denies discussing Mr Mugabe's departure. | He says he won the poll but denies discussing Mr Mugabe's departure. |
| Mr Tsvangirai said he would not claim victory until the official count was known and added that no negotiations would take place until such time. | |
| The BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says it is widely believed that President Mugabe would not want to face the humiliation of a run-off in the presidential contest, should neither he nor Mr Tsvangirai obtain an absolute majority this time. | The BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says it is widely believed that President Mugabe would not want to face the humiliation of a run-off in the presidential contest, should neither he nor Mr Tsvangirai obtain an absolute majority this time. |
| Correspondents say Mr Mugabe would be unlikely to win a run-off, as those who voted for independent candidate Simba Makoni would be expected to vote against the president. | |
| 'No deal' | 'No deal' |
| Bright Matonga, Zanu-PF's Deputy Information Minister, also rejected reports of discussions paving the way for Mr Mugabe to step down. | Bright Matonga, Zanu-PF's Deputy Information Minister, also rejected reports of discussions paving the way for Mr Mugabe to step down. |
| Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) sources had earlier told the BBC the outline of an agreement had nearly been reached for Mr Mugabe to leave office. | Opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) sources had earlier told the BBC the outline of an agreement had nearly been reached for Mr Mugabe to leave office. |
| ELECTION RESULTS SO FAR Parliamentary constituencies MDC-Tsvangirai: 85Zanu-PF: 85Breakaway MDC faction: 5Yet to declare: 35 Presidential results None so farWinner needs more than 50% to avoid run-off Source: ZEC Key role for security chiefsVoters react to delaysProfile: Morgan Tsvangirai | ELECTION RESULTS SO FAR Parliamentary constituencies MDC-Tsvangirai: 85Zanu-PF: 85Breakaway MDC faction: 5Yet to declare: 35 Presidential results None so farWinner needs more than 50% to avoid run-off Source: ZEC Key role for security chiefsVoters react to delaysProfile: Morgan Tsvangirai |
| Parliamentary results released so far show that the MDC has 90 seats, including five for a breakaway faction of the party, against 85 for Zanu-PF, with 35 still to come. | Parliamentary results released so far show that the MDC has 90 seats, including five for a breakaway faction of the party, against 85 for Zanu-PF, with 35 still to come. |
| In his first public appearance since the election, Mr Tsvangirai told a news conference on Tuesday evening there was "no way the MDC will enter in any deal before ZEC [Zimbabwe Electoral Commission] has actually announced the result". | In his first public appearance since the election, Mr Tsvangirai told a news conference on Tuesday evening there was "no way the MDC will enter in any deal before ZEC [Zimbabwe Electoral Commission] has actually announced the result". |
| But he said the MDC would issue its own tally of results if ZEC continues to withhold the official figures. | But he said the MDC would issue its own tally of results if ZEC continues to withhold the official figures. |
| They would be based on the figures which had to be posted by law outside each polling station after counting was completed. | They would be based on the figures which had to be posted by law outside each polling station after counting was completed. |
| Many results have been available since Sunday. | Many results have been available since Sunday. |
| Quoting analysts, The Herald newspaper said on Wednesday that the "pattern of results" showed a re-run would be necessary. | Quoting analysts, The Herald newspaper said on Wednesday that the "pattern of results" showed a re-run would be necessary. |
| Independent observers had previously said Mr Tsvangirai seemed to have taken the most votes in the presidential race. | Independent observers had previously said Mr Tsvangirai seemed to have taken the most votes in the presidential race. |
| More than 50% of the vote is needed to avoid a second run-off vote, which would have to be held three weeks after the 29 March election. | More than 50% of the vote is needed to avoid a second run-off vote, which would have to be held three weeks after the 29 March election. |
| While the atmosphere on Zimbabwe's streets remains peaceful, if tense, there are fears that prolonging the declaration of results could foment similar violent clashes to those which followed Kenya's contested elections in January. | While the atmosphere on Zimbabwe's streets remains peaceful, if tense, there are fears that prolonging the declaration of results could foment similar violent clashes to those which followed Kenya's contested elections in January. |
| Had the Zanu-PF won these elections we would have heard them crowing a long time ago Archbishop Desmond Tutu | Had the Zanu-PF won these elections we would have heard them crowing a long time ago Archbishop Desmond Tutu |
| Roadblocks have been set up around the capital, Harare, and there has been a marked increase in the presence of paramilitary police on the streets of major cities. | Roadblocks have been set up around the capital, Harare, and there has been a marked increase in the presence of paramilitary police on the streets of major cities. |
| As pressure grew around the world for final results to be declared, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for calm. | As pressure grew around the world for final results to be declared, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for calm. |
| He urged the "utmost transparency be exercised so that the people of Zimbabwe can have full confidence in the process". | He urged the "utmost transparency be exercised so that the people of Zimbabwe can have full confidence in the process". |
| The White House said it was clear the people of Zimbabwe had "voted for change". | The White House said it was clear the people of Zimbabwe had "voted for change". |
| The European Union called on the Zimbabwean president to resign, with its president warning there would be a "coup d'etat" if Mr Mugabe did not step down. | The European Union called on the Zimbabwean president to resign, with its president warning there would be a "coup d'etat" if Mr Mugabe did not step down. |
| "We don't want the situation to develop like in Kenya," said Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitri Rupel, whose country holds the EU presidency. | "We don't want the situation to develop like in Kenya," said Slovenian Foreign Minister Dimitri Rupel, whose country holds the EU presidency. |
| ROBERT MUGABE Born: 1924Trained as a teacher1961: Married Ghanaian Sally Hayfron1964: Imprisoned by Rhodesian government1980: Wins post-independence elections1996: Marries Grace Marufu2000: Loses referendum2000: Land invasions start2002: Wins presidential elections, dismissed by western observers2008: Runs for a sixth term as president Profile: Robert Mugabe | ROBERT MUGABE Born: 1924Trained as a teacher1961: Married Ghanaian Sally Hayfron1964: Imprisoned by Rhodesian government1980: Wins post-independence elections1996: Marries Grace Marufu2000: Loses referendum2000: Land invasions start2002: Wins presidential elections, dismissed by western observers2008: Runs for a sixth term as president Profile: Robert Mugabe |
| South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu told the BBC the fact that results had not been announced was very significant. | South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu told the BBC the fact that results had not been announced was very significant. |
| "Even the dumbest of us would say that results would not have been held back... had it not been the fact that Mr Mugabe has not won," said the Nobel Peace Prize winner. | "Even the dumbest of us would say that results would not have been held back... had it not been the fact that Mr Mugabe has not won," said the Nobel Peace Prize winner. |
| "Had the Zanu-PF won these elections we would have heard them crowing a long time ago." | "Had the Zanu-PF won these elections we would have heard them crowing a long time ago." |
| Earlier the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, a coalition of civil society organisations, said its random sample of poll stations indicated Mr Tsvangirai had won just over 49% of the vote and Mr Mugabe 42%. | Earlier the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, a coalition of civil society organisations, said its random sample of poll stations indicated Mr Tsvangirai had won just over 49% of the vote and Mr Mugabe 42%. |
| Simba Makoni, a former Mugabe loyalist, trailed at about 8%. | Simba Makoni, a former Mugabe loyalist, trailed at about 8%. |
| Mr Mugabe, 84, has not been seen in public since the election. | Mr Mugabe, 84, has not been seen in public since the election. |
| He came to power 28 years ago at independence but in recent years Zimbabwe has been plagued by the world's highest inflation, as well as acute food and fuel shortages. | He came to power 28 years ago at independence but in recent years Zimbabwe has been plagued by the world's highest inflation, as well as acute food and fuel shortages. |