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Mugabe's Zanu-PF loses majority | Mugabe's Zanu-PF loses majority |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Robert Mugabe's party has lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since independence in 1980. | |
Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party took 97 of the 210 seats, while the opposition MDC won 99, final official results showed. | |
Presidential election results have yet to be declared, but the MDC said its leader had won the election. Zanu-PF said this was "wishful thinking". | |
Mr Mugabe has no intention of leaving Zimbabwe, his country's ambassador to the UN told the BBC. | |
"Robert Mugabe is Zimbabwean," said Boniface Chidyausiku. "He has lived his life to work for Zimbabwe. Why should he choose another country?" | |
He said Mr Mugabe still had work to do to end economic hardship which he said had been caused by external forces. | |
'Anxiety and disappointment' | 'Anxiety and disappointment' |
The BBC's Grant Ferrett in Johannesburg says that although the release of parliamentary results by the Zimbabwe Election Commission is significant, the main power in Zimbabwe lies with the president. | The BBC's Grant Ferrett in Johannesburg says that although the release of parliamentary results by the Zimbabwe Election Commission is significant, the main power in Zimbabwe lies with the president. |
ELECTION RESULTS SO FAR Parliamentary constituencies MDC-Tsvangirai: 99Zanu-PF: 97Breakaway MDC faction: 9Independent: 1Undeclared: 10 Presidential results None so farWinner needs more than 50% to avoid run-off Source: ZEC Hope for change in ZimbabweZimbabwean voicesIs Mugabe losing his grip? | |
The MDC released its own results to back up its claim of victory in the presidential poll. | The MDC released its own results to back up its claim of victory in the presidential poll. |
MDC Party Secretary General Tendai Biti said its leader Morgan Tsvangirai had won 50.3% of the vote to President Robert Mugabe's 43.8%, so avoiding a presidential run-off. | MDC Party Secretary General Tendai Biti said its leader Morgan Tsvangirai had won 50.3% of the vote to President Robert Mugabe's 43.8%, so avoiding a presidential run-off. |
In his news conference, Mr Biti said there was "anxiety and disappointment" at the failure of the Zimbabwe Election Commission to declare presidential results. | In his news conference, Mr Biti said there was "anxiety and disappointment" at the failure of the Zimbabwe Election Commission to declare presidential results. |
But Mr Biti said that if the election commission decided that neither of the main candidates had won outright, the MDC would be prepared to take part in a second round. | But Mr Biti said that if the election commission decided that neither of the main candidates had won outright, the MDC would be prepared to take part in a second round. |
For Zanu-PF, Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga said the claim of victory was irresponsible and could incite violence. | For Zanu-PF, Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga said the claim of victory was irresponsible and could incite violence. |
And, interviewed by the BBC, he said the pattern of results from the parliamentary election suggested that there would be a second round in the presidential election. | And, interviewed by the BBC, he said the pattern of results from the parliamentary election suggested that there would be a second round in the presidential election. |
HAVE YOUR SAYThe root cause of all Zimbabwe's teething problems is Mugabe's failure to hold free and fair elections Wilbert Mukori Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYThe root cause of all Zimbabwe's teething problems is Mugabe's failure to hold free and fair elections Wilbert Mukori Send us your comments |
Asked if Mr Mugabe would take part he said: "Only the top two go for a run-off, he cannot bring in another candidate to replace another, which means that President Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai will go for the run-off if there is going to be a run-off." | Asked if Mr Mugabe would take part he said: "Only the top two go for a run-off, he cannot bring in another candidate to replace another, which means that President Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai will go for the run-off if there is going to be a run-off." |
Mr Matonga added that the delay in officially declaring the result was due to the complexity of the process, with 75% of voters living in rural areas. | Mr Matonga added that the delay in officially declaring the result was due to the complexity of the process, with 75% of voters living in rural areas. |
Despite the MDC's declaration, the issue of whether Mr Tsvangirai has won more than 50% remains in dispute. | Despite the MDC's declaration, the issue of whether Mr Tsvangirai has won more than 50% remains in dispute. |
The Zimbabwe Election Support Network, a coalition of civil society organisations, said earlier that he had won 49% to Mr Mugabe's 42%. | The Zimbabwe Election Support Network, a coalition of civil society organisations, said earlier that he had won 49% to Mr Mugabe's 42%. |
It based its results on a random sample of polling stations - where results were posted following the polls. | It based its results on a random sample of polling stations - where results were posted following the polls. |
In Cape Town, South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu said President Mugabe should have retired long ago. | In Cape Town, South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu said President Mugabe should have retired long ago. |
"If he had stepped down 10 or so years ago, he would be held in very, very high regard," said the Nobel laureate. | "If he had stepped down 10 or so years ago, he would be held in very, very high regard," said the Nobel laureate. |
"We must honour him for the things that he did do... We hope he will be able to step down gracefully, with dignity." | "We must honour him for the things that he did do... We hope he will be able to step down gracefully, with dignity." |
'Fatally damaged' | 'Fatally damaged' |
In a separate development, a senior Zanu-PF official has told a BBC correspondent in Zimbabwe that he believes Mr Mugabe has been fatally damaged. | In a separate development, a senior Zanu-PF official has told a BBC correspondent in Zimbabwe that he believes Mr Mugabe has been fatally damaged. |
ELECTION RESULTS FROM MDC Presidential results MDC-Tsvangirai: 50.3%Zanu-PF-Mugabe: 43.8%Independent-Makoni: 7% | ELECTION RESULTS FROM MDC Presidential results MDC-Tsvangirai: 50.3%Zanu-PF-Mugabe: 43.8%Independent-Makoni: 7% |
The official, who did not want to be identified, said that by not declaring victory on Sunday or Monday, Mr Mugabe had shown weakness. | The official, who did not want to be identified, said that by not declaring victory on Sunday or Monday, Mr Mugabe had shown weakness. |
Now, he told our correspondent, civil servants and police were determined to show even-handedness in their treatment of the Zanu-PF and the opposition. | Now, he told our correspondent, civil servants and police were determined to show even-handedness in their treatment of the Zanu-PF and the opposition. |
Zanu-PF has also rejected suggestions that talks have been taking place with the MDC on a possibly handover of power. | Zanu-PF has also rejected suggestions that talks have been taking place with the MDC on a possibly handover of power. |
MDC sources had earlier told the BBC that the outline of an agreement had nearly been reached for Mr Mugabe to leave office. | MDC sources had earlier told the BBC that the outline of an agreement had nearly been reached for Mr Mugabe to leave office. |
ROBERT MUGABE Born: 1924Trained as a teacher1961: Married Ghanaian Sally Hayfron1964: Imprisoned by Rhodesian government1980: Wins post-independence elections1980s: Accusations of atrocities in south-west1996: 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 elections1980s: Accusations of atrocities in south-west1996: 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 |
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 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 has actually announced the result". |
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon appealed 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". |
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for the results of the presidential election to be published as soon as possible. | UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown called for the results of the presidential election to be published as soon as possible. |
Mr Mugabe, 84, has not been seen in public since the election but Mr Matonga has denied rumours the president had left the country. | Mr Mugabe, 84, has not been seen in public since the election but Mr Matonga has denied rumours the president had left the country. |
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. |
Are you in Zimbabwe? How concerned are you about the political uncertainty? What is happening where you are? Send us your comments using the form below | Are you in Zimbabwe? How concerned are you about the political uncertainty? What is happening where you are? Send us your comments using the form below |