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Opposition wins Zimbabwe assembly Opposition wins Zimbabwe assembly
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwe's main opposition party has won a majority of seats in parliament, displacing the ruling Zanu-PF, final official results show.Zimbabwe's main opposition party has won a majority of seats in parliament, displacing the ruling Zanu-PF, final official results show.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) took 99 seats, while President Robert Mugabe's party polled 97.The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) took 99 seats, while President Robert Mugabe's party polled 97.
With presidential election results yet to be declared, the MDC said its leader had won, but Zanu-PF denied this.With presidential election results yet to be declared, the MDC said its leader had won, but Zanu-PF denied this.
Senior Zanu-PF figures are due to meet on Friday to decide whether to contest any presidential run-off.Senior Zanu-PF figures are due to meet on Friday to decide whether to contest any presidential run-off.
Brian Hungwe in Harare says the party is split into two factions and the politburo meeting is set to be a defining moment for the country. Reporter Brian Hungwe in the capital, Harare, says the party is split into two factions and the politburo meeting is set to be a defining moment for the country.
Zimbabwean analyst Peter Kagwanja told the BBC he expected Mr Mugabe to run, but given the splits within Zanu-PF one possible option would be for moves towards some kind of unity government.Zimbabwean analyst Peter Kagwanja told the BBC he expected Mr Mugabe to run, but given the splits within Zanu-PF one possible option would be for moves towards some kind of unity government.
Five days after the polls, frustration is growing at the failure of the Zimbabwe Election Commission to declare any presidential results.Five days after the polls, frustration is growing at the failure of the Zimbabwe Election Commission to declare any presidential results.
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the results of the presidential election now had to be announced swiftly.UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the results of the presidential election now had to be announced swiftly.
'A fighter' 'Ready for victory'
Zimbabwe's Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga said no clear winner had emerged in the presidential poll. Zimbabwe's Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga repeated that the ruling party was ready for a second round presidential poll.
In the event of a run-off against MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai, he said Mr Mugabe would fight on. "Zanu-PF is ready for a run-off. We are ready for a resulting victory," he told AFP.
The party, he said, had "let the president down" by not applying enough energy to the campaign.
ELECTION RESULTS SO FAR Presidential results None so farWinner needs more than 50% to avoid run-off Source: ZEC Hope for change in ZimbabweIs Mugabe losing his grip?UK 'will stand with Zimbabweans' "He's a fighter," said Mr Matonga. "And he fights best when he's put in a corner like this."ELECTION RESULTS SO FAR Presidential results None so farWinner needs more than 50% to avoid run-off Source: ZEC Hope for change in ZimbabweIs Mugabe losing his grip?UK 'will stand with Zimbabweans' "He's a fighter," said Mr Matonga. "And he fights best when he's put in a corner like this."
State radio says that results for the 60-seat upper house, the Senate, are expected to be issued by the Zimbabwe Election Commission on Thursday.
The MDC released its own results to back up its claim of victory in the presidential poll, saying Mr Tsvangirai had won 50.3% of the vote to Mr Mugabe's 43.8%, so avoiding a second round of voting.The MDC released its own results to back up its claim of victory in the presidential poll, saying Mr Tsvangirai had won 50.3% of the vote to Mr Mugabe's 43.8%, so avoiding a second round of voting.
But those figures differ slightly with the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, a coalition of civil society organisations, who said Mr Tsvangirai had won 49% to Mr Mugabe's 42% - which if true would necessitate a run-off.But those figures differ slightly with the Zimbabwe Election Support Network, a coalition of civil society organisations, who said Mr Tsvangirai had won 49% to Mr Mugabe's 42% - which if true would necessitate a run-off.
MDC Party Secretary General Tendai Biti said the party would be prepared to take part in a run-off if the ZEC decided neither of the main candidates had won outright.MDC Party Secretary General Tendai Biti said the party would be prepared to take part in a run-off if the ZEC decided neither of the main candidates had won outright.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said official results of the presidential election should be announced swiftly.
'Safe MDC areas''Safe MDC areas'
In elections for the 210-member assembly, an offshoot MDC faction at odds with Mr Tsvangirai won 10 seats, according to the ZEC's final results.In elections for the 210-member assembly, an offshoot MDC faction at odds with Mr Tsvangirai won 10 seats, according to the ZEC's final results.
Mr Mugabe has not been seen in public since Saturday's elections Mr Mugabe has not been seen in public since the election
One seat was won by an independent candidate and polling in three constituencies was postponed as candidates died in the run-up to elections.One seat was won by an independent candidate and polling in three constituencies was postponed as candidates died in the run-up to elections.
Wilf Mbanga, editor of the UK-based Zimbabwean newspaper, told the BBC the postponed elections could hand more seats to the MDC.
"The three seats are in what were previously safe MDC areas," he said.
While the parliamentary victory is significant, Mr Mugabe has changed Zimbabwe's constitution several times in the past 28 years to leave most power in the president's hands, says the BBC's Grant Ferrett in neighbouring South Africa.
There are real fears of unrest if the presidential contest enters a second round, our correspondent adds.
Mugabe 'weakness'?
In a separate development, a senior Zanu-PF official has told the BBC he believes Mr Mugabe has been fatally damaged.In a separate development, a senior Zanu-PF official has told the BBC he believes Mr Mugabe has been fatally damaged.
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 civil servants and police were determined to show even-handedness in their treatment of the Zanu-PF and the opposition, he said.Now civil servants and police were determined to show even-handedness in their treatment of the Zanu-PF and the opposition, he said.
Zanu-PF has rejected suggestions that talks have been taking place with the MDC on a possible handover of power. Rumours
MDC sources had earlier told the BBC that the outline of an agreement had nearly been reached for Mr Mugabe to leave office.
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.
Zimbabwe's ambassador to the UN told the BBC the president had no intention of leaving the country.Zimbabwe's ambassador to the UN told the BBC the president had no intention of leaving the country.
"Robert Mugabe is Zimbabwean," said Boniface Chidyausiku. "He has lived his life to work for Zimbabwe. Why should he choose another country?""Robert Mugabe is Zimbabwean," said Boniface Chidyausiku. "He has lived his life to work for Zimbabwe. Why should he choose another 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 belowAre 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
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