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Zimbabwe run-off remains in doubt Zimbabwe run-off remains in doubt
(about 17 hours later)
Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change has ended a meeting in Harare without deciding whether to contest a run-off presidential vote.Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change has ended a meeting in Harare without deciding whether to contest a run-off presidential vote.
A delegation is to visit South Africa to consult MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai before making a final decision. Incumbent President Robert Mugabe would win automatically if MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai ruled out taking part.
Mr Tsvangirai has not ruled out taking part. Incumbent President Robert Mugabe would win automatically if he did not. On Friday the MDC rejected results from the first round on 29 March that gave Mr Tsvangirai the most votes but not outright victory.
On Friday the MDC rejected first-round results that gave Mr Tsvangirai the most votes, but not outright victory. Mr Mugabe confirmed he would stand in a run-off. No date has been set.
Mr Mugabe has accepted the official results of the 29 March election, and confirmed he would stand in a run-off. No date has been set.
TimingTiming
Zimbabwean Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga told the BBC a second round could be held within three weeks.Zimbabwean Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga told the BBC a second round could be held within three weeks.
Reaction: In quotesTough call for oppositionAnxiety in HarareReaction: In quotesTough call for oppositionAnxiety in Harare
But he added that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) might also decide to delay the vote.But he added that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) might also decide to delay the vote.
"It is again provided for in the constitution that it has to be done within 12 months. But as far as I can see from this, they're going to announce the run-off anytime from now.""It is again provided for in the constitution that it has to be done within 12 months. But as far as I can see from this, they're going to announce the run-off anytime from now."
On Friday, the MDC said it had been cheated of thousands of votes as the commission announced that Mr Tsvangirai had gained 47.9% of the votes - against 43.2% for Mr Mugabe.On Friday, the MDC said it had been cheated of thousands of votes as the commission announced that Mr Tsvangirai had gained 47.9% of the votes - against 43.2% for Mr Mugabe.
The party now faces a dilemma, says the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg.The party now faces a dilemma, says the BBC's Peter Biles in Johannesburg.
It can boycott the run-off and hand victory to President Mugabe, or it can take part - under protest - in the knowledge that the violence and intimidation witnessed over the past month has created a far tougher electoral environment, our correspondent says.It can boycott the run-off and hand victory to President Mugabe, or it can take part - under protest - in the knowledge that the violence and intimidation witnessed over the past month has created a far tougher electoral environment, our correspondent says.
UndecidedUndecided
After a high-level meeting on Saturday, MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said no decisions had been reached so far.After a high-level meeting on Saturday, MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said no decisions had been reached so far.
MDC party rejects electoral resultsMDC party rejects electoral results
"There are issues that have to be clarified," he told Reuters news agency."There are issues that have to be clarified," he told Reuters news agency.
Some delegates are being sent to South Africa, where Mr Tsvangirai has taken refuge.
The MDC says the government delayed the result for more than a month in order to orchestrate a campaign of violence to deter opposition supporters in a run-off.The MDC says the government delayed the result for more than a month in order to orchestrate a campaign of violence to deter opposition supporters in a run-off.
Although the result of the election is inconclusive, it represents a humiliation for 84-year-old President Mugabe, our correspondent adds.Although the result of the election is inconclusive, it represents a humiliation for 84-year-old President Mugabe, our correspondent adds.
The MDC on Saturday reiterated its claim that it won the election outright.The MDC on Saturday reiterated its claim that it won the election outright.
"We are convinced that the run-off is unnecessary," said Thokozani Khupe, the movement's its deputy leader."We are convinced that the run-off is unnecessary," said Thokozani Khupe, the movement's its deputy leader.
However she also appeared to leave open the possibility of a second round, saying: "In the unlikely event of a run-off, the MDC will once again romp to victory by an even bigger margin."However she also appeared to leave open the possibility of a second round, saying: "In the unlikely event of a run-off, the MDC will once again romp to victory by an even bigger margin."


Are you in Zimbabwe? What's your reaction to the announcement of the results? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.Are you in Zimbabwe? What's your reaction to the announcement of the results? Send us your comments by filling out the form below.
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