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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. | Speaking from Pretoria in South Africa, he said his supporters would feel "betrayed" if he did not stand. |
Mr Tsvangirai called for an end to violence, as well as full access by international monitors and media. | |
Official first-round results put him ahead of President Robert Mugabe, but not by enough votes to win outright. | |
Mr Tsvangirai had earlier insisted he had secured more than 50% of the vote, and that there was therefore no need for a second round. | |
But on Saturday, he told reporters in Pretoria that his MDC would contest the run-off. | |
"I am ready, and the people are ready for the final round," he said. | |
He went on to demand "unfettered access for all international observers" and foreign journalist covering the vote. | |
Beatings | Beatings |
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has not yet set a date for the second round. | |
Mr Tsvangirai said it should take place by 23 May - within three weeks of the results being declared. | |
According to these official declarations, he won 47.9% of the vote in the first round, against 43.2% for Mr Mugabe. | |
Mr Tsvangirai said he would soon return to Zimbabwe, but did not give a date. | |
The first round election was largely peaceful, but the results were not announced until 2 May. | |
The MDC 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. |