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Tsvangirai to run in second round | Tsvangirai to run in second round |
(20 minutes later) | |
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he will contest a presidential run-off, despite fears of widespread poll violence. | Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has said he will contest a presidential run-off, despite fears of widespread poll violence. |
Speaking from Pretoria in South Africa, he said his supporters would feel "betrayed" if he did not stand. | |
Official results from the 29 March poll put him ahead of President Robert Mugabe, but not with a sufficient margin to avoid a second round. | Official results from the 29 March poll put him ahead of President Robert Mugabe, but not with a sufficient margin to avoid a second round. |
He had earlier said he had won outright and there was no need for a run-off. | |
On Saturday, Mr Tsvangirai told reporters in Pretoria said he wanted "unfettered access for all international observers" and foreign journalist covering the run-off. | |
Beatings | |
The first round election was largely peaceful, but the results were not announced until early May. | |
Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change says the delay gave the authorities time to rig the vote and carry out attacks on its supporters in anticipation of a run-off. | |
High-profile opponents have been rounded up and MDC activists have described beatings by government-backed militias. | High-profile opponents have been rounded up and MDC activists have described beatings by government-backed militias. |
Mr Tsvangirai won 47.9% of the vote in the first round, against 43.2% for Mr Mugabe. | Mr Tsvangirai won 47.9% of the vote in the first round, against 43.2% for Mr Mugabe. |
No date has been announced for the run-off. | No date has been announced for the run-off. |