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Zimbabwe poll petition rejected Zimbabwe poll petition rejected
(29 minutes later)
A Zimbabwean court has rejected an opposition demand for the immediate release of the result of the presidential election. A Zimbabwean court has ruled against an opposition demand for the immediate release of last month's presidential election results.
High Court judge Tendai Uchena rejected the Movement for Democratic Change's application to force the electoral commission to release the result. High Court judge Tendai Uchena rejected the Movement for Democratic Change's petition to force the electoral commission to release the result.
The MDC says it won the vote, and the government wants to rig the outcome. The MDC says its leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the election outright, beating President Robert Mugabe.
Southern African leaders have called for the publication of the results of the poll, held more than two weeks ago. Regional leaders have urged the publication of the results.
But there could be even further delay as the government has ordered votes in certain constituencies to be recounted. Independent tallies suggested Mr Tsvangirai won the 29 March poll, but took less than 50% of the vote, meaning he would have to face a run-off vote.
"They had custody of the ballot boxes for two weeks and they must have stuffed them with their votes," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said.
Zimbabwean government spokesman Bright Matonga said: "There is a court process that we follow. What we are doing is within the law."
Parliament in balance
The MDC says its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, won the presidential election outright, beating President Robert Mugabe. Independent tallies suggested Mr Tsvangirai won, but took less than 50% of the vote, meaning he would have to face a run-off.
We cannot remain silent when we witness sufferings and violation of human rights Baleka MbeteSouth African parliamentary speaker Send us your commentsWe cannot remain silent when we witness sufferings and violation of human rights Baleka MbeteSouth African parliamentary speaker Send us your comments
There could be even further delay as the government has ordered votes in certain constituencies to be recounted.
The electoral commission says it is going ahead next Saturday with a recount of presidential and parliamentary results in 23 constituencies where it claims there have been irregularities.The electoral commission says it is going ahead next Saturday with a recount of presidential and parliamentary results in 23 constituencies where it claims there have been irregularities.
The recount in 22 seats was requested by the ruling Zanu-PF party. A recount in one constituency requested by the MDC will also take place. The ruling Zanu-PF requested a recount in 22 seats, while an MDC application for a recount in one constituency has also been granted.
The parliamentary election saw Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF lose its majority.The parliamentary election saw Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF lose its majority.
But the majority could be recovered if Zanu-PF is awarded just nine of the 23 seats subject to a recount.But the majority could be recovered if Zanu-PF is awarded just nine of the 23 seats subject to a recount.
'More vigour' "They had custody of the ballot boxes for two weeks and they must have stuffed them with their votes," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said.
Zimbabwean government spokesman Bright Matonga said: "There is a court process that we follow. What we are doing is within the law."
'Democracy gone wrong'
The speaker of the South African parliament, Baleka Mbete, has denounced the failure to publish the results of the presidential election as a case of "democracy gone wrong".The speaker of the South African parliament, Baleka Mbete, has denounced the failure to publish the results of the presidential election as a case of "democracy gone wrong".
"As parliamentarians we cannot remain silent when we witness sufferings and violation of human rights. We can also not remain silent about the situation in Zimbabwe," she said. "As parliamentarians, we cannot remain silent when we witness sufferings and violation of human rights. We can also not remain silent about the situation in Zimbabwe," she said.
President Mugabe has held power since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980President Mugabe has held power since Zimbabwe's independence in 1980
Miss Mbete is a political ally of Jacob Zuma, who is tipped to succeed Thabo Mbeki as South African president, and who last week himself criticised the delays in Zimbabwe.Miss Mbete is a political ally of Jacob Zuma, who is tipped to succeed Thabo Mbeki as South African president, and who last week himself criticised the delays in Zimbabwe.
Mr Mbeki has been accused of failing to exert enough pressure on Mr Mugabe.Mr Mbeki has been accused of failing to exert enough pressure on Mr Mugabe.
After a summit of southern African leaders at the weekend, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) called for the election results to be announced speedily.After a summit of southern African leaders at the weekend, the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) called for the election results to be announced speedily.
But it did not urge Mr Mugabe to step aside, as the MDC had wished.But it did not urge Mr Mugabe to step aside, as the MDC had wished.
MDC Secretary-General Tendai Biti described the summit outcome as a "major improvement". MDC Secretary General Tendai Biti described the summit outcome as a "major improvement".
But he called on Mr Mbeki to show "more vigour, more openness and a complete abandonment of the policy of quiet diplomacy".But he called on Mr Mbeki to show "more vigour, more openness and a complete abandonment of the policy of quiet diplomacy".
Under President Mugabe, a drawn-out economic collapse in Zimbabwe has seen hyper-inflation, massive unemployment and the departure of hundreds of thousands of people.Under President Mugabe, a drawn-out economic collapse in Zimbabwe has seen hyper-inflation, massive unemployment and the departure of hundreds of thousands of people.
Are you in Zimbabwe? Tell us about your experiences - send us your comments using the form below.Are you in Zimbabwe? Tell us about your experiences - send us your comments using the form below.
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