This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7389446.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Zimbabwe 'too violent for poll' | Zimbabwe 'too violent for poll' |
(10 minutes later) | |
Zimbabwe is too violent to hold a presidential run-off, the head of a South African observer mission says. | Zimbabwe is too violent to hold a presidential run-off, the head of a South African observer mission says. |
"We have seen it, there are people in hospital who said they have been tortured," said Kingsley Mamabolo. | "We have seen it, there are people in hospital who said they have been tortured," said Kingsley Mamabolo. |
The head of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has reportedly said the run-off could be delayed by up to a year. | The head of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has reportedly said the run-off could be delayed by up to a year. |
No date has been set for the second round between President Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, which should be 21 days after the official results. | No date has been set for the second round between President Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, which should be 21 days after the official results. |
These, announced last Friday, said that Mr Tsvangirai gained more votes than Mr Mugabe but not the 50% needed to be declared the winner. | These, announced last Friday, said that Mr Tsvangirai gained more votes than Mr Mugabe but not the 50% needed to be declared the winner. |
Mr Tsvangirai, however, says the results were fixed and that he did pass the 50% threshold. | Mr Tsvangirai, however, says the results were fixed and that he did pass the 50% threshold. |
He has not said whether he would take part in a run-off, citing fraud and alleged state-sponsored violence against his supporters. | He has not said whether he would take part in a run-off, citing fraud and alleged state-sponsored violence against his supporters. |
Mr Mamabolo did not say who was behind the violence but pointed out that both side was accusing the other, so there was no doubt whether it was happening. | Mr Mamabolo did not say who was behind the violence but pointed out that both side was accusing the other, so there was no doubt whether it was happening. |
Tough call for oppositionAnxiety in Harare | |
"You cannot have the next round taking place in this atmosphere; it will not be helpful," he said. | "You cannot have the next round taking place in this atmosphere; it will not be helpful," he said. |
He added that South African President Thabo Mbeki had sent a fact-finding mission to find out the real situation. | He added that South African President Thabo Mbeki had sent a fact-finding mission to find out the real situation. |
Mr Mbeki is the lead mediator in the Zimbabwe crisis, although Mr Tsvangirai has said he wants a replacement. | Mr Mbeki is the lead mediator in the Zimbabwe crisis, although Mr Tsvangirai has said he wants a replacement. |
Meanwhile, the head of the Pan-African Parliament observer team, Marwick Khumalo, said Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairman George Chiweshe had told him that the run-off could be delayed by up to a year. | Meanwhile, the head of the Pan-African Parliament observer team, Marwick Khumalo, said Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairman George Chiweshe had told him that the run-off could be delayed by up to a year. |
"He told me it was not possible to organise an election within the 21 days required by the constitution," Mr Khumalo said. | "He told me it was not possible to organise an election within the 21 days required by the constitution," Mr Khumalo said. |
"He said the election would be organised within the shortest possible time and this would not be longer than 12 months." | "He said the election would be organised within the shortest possible time and this would not be longer than 12 months." |
Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change says at least 25 of its supporters have been killed since the relatively peaceful first round on 29 March. | Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change says at least 25 of its supporters have been killed since the relatively peaceful first round on 29 March. |
It says many hundreds have been forced from their homes in rural areas in a deliberate strategy to stop it campaigning effectively for the run-off. | It says many hundreds have been forced from their homes in rural areas in a deliberate strategy to stop it campaigning effectively for the run-off. |
But police and officials from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party have accused the MDC of staging attacks. | But police and officials from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party have accused the MDC of staging attacks. |