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Zimbabwe election may be delayed Zimbabwe election may be delayed
(about 1 hour later)
The second round of the country's presidential election may be delayed, says Zimbabwe's Electoral Commission.The second round of the country's presidential election may be delayed, says Zimbabwe's Electoral Commission.
Chairman George Chiweshe told the Sunday Mail newspaper that any delay was due to logistical problems.Chairman George Chiweshe told the Sunday Mail newspaper that any delay was due to logistical problems.
He said it was unlikely the run-off could be held by 23 May, as laid down by law, but said they could extend the deadline "in certain circumstances".He said it was unlikely the run-off could be held by 23 May, as laid down by law, but said they could extend the deadline "in certain circumstances".
Opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai - who beat President Robert Mugabe in the first round - is due home soon. Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said Zimbabwe would not bow to pressure to invite western election observers.
Mr Tsvangirai has been in neighbouring countries since the first round because of alleged threats to his life and has demanded the run-off take place within three weeks of the first-round results being declared - as per the electoral law. Opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai had said he would only stand if international observers and media were given full access to ensure the vote is free and fair.
Mr Chiweshe said they were still waiting for funds to be allocated by the government to hold the poll. He had also demanded the run-off take place within three weeks of the first-round results being declared - as per the electoral law.
"It was ambitious for the legislature to think 21 days would be enough," he was quoted as saying. Mr Tsvangirai - who beat President Robert Mugabe in the first round - is due home in the next few days. He has been in neighbouring countries since the first round because of alleged threats to his life.
Zimbabwe's government rejected any conditions for the run-off, but has previously allowed in election monitors from the regional group SADC.
'Possible arrest''Possible arrest'
The justice minister in Mr Mugabe's last cabinet, Patrick Chinamasa, said Mr Tsvangirai was free to come back but could not rule out the possibility that he might be arrested. George Chiweshe said the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) was still waiting for funds to be allocated by the government to hold the poll.
No choice for TsvangiraiAccounts of violenceMilitias 'to rig election'
"It was ambitious for the legislature to think 21 days would be enough," he was quoted as saying.
Mr Chinamasa said Zimbabwe would not bow to pressure to invite election monitors from Western countries and the United Nations.
"We will not allow them," he told the state-run Herald newspaper.
"We will think favourably of them if they lift sanctions. Until they do that, there is no basis to have any relationship with them."
Mr Chinamasa added that Mr Tsvangirai was free to come back but could not rule out the possibility that he might be arrested.
Earlier police said they had arrested nearly 60 supporters of the opposition MDC.Earlier police said they had arrested nearly 60 supporters of the opposition MDC.
The activists were held on Thursday on suspicion of torching homes of members of the governing Zanu-PF in Shamva, north-east of Harare, the police said.The activists were held on Thursday on suspicion of torching homes of members of the governing Zanu-PF in Shamva, north-east of Harare, the police said.
Robert Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for close to 30 years Stance softened
Mr Chinamasa said Mr Tsvangirai could have committed crimes which law enforcement agencies would deal with. Mr Chinamasa said Zanu-PF would not allow an opposition victory, as this would be what he described as tantamount to slavery.
He said Zanu-PF would not allow an opposition victory, as this would be what he described as tantamount to slavery.
Asked whether the will of the people would be subverted should Mr Mugabe lose, Mr Chinamasa said: "If people attempted to unfree themselves, moves would be made to free them."
The BBC's Will Ross in Johannesburg, South Africa, says the latest comments from the minister are further signs that the ruling elite is determined to cling onto power.
Official first-round results put Mr Tsvangirai ahead of President Robert Mugabe, but not by enough votes to win outright.
'Exaggeration'
Police announced 58 arrests in Shamva on state TV, saying seven people had been injured in the violence, and four houses and a tractor had been burnt.
No choice for TsvangiraiAccounts of violenceMilitias 'to rig election'
An opposition lawyer said earlier 56 of its activists were in police custody.
The MDC has frequently complained of intimidation, saying at least 25 of its supporters have been killed since the first round and hundreds have been forced from their homes in rural areas.The MDC has frequently complained of intimidation, saying at least 25 of its supporters have been killed since the first round and hundreds have been forced from their homes in rural areas.
Robert Mugabe has ruled Zimbabwe for close to 30 years
But police and officials from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party have accused the MDC of staging attacks, saying it has exaggerated the scale of the violence.But police and officials from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party have accused the MDC of staging attacks, saying it has exaggerated the scale of the violence.
Stance softened In an apparent softening of his stance towards Mr Mugabe, Mr Tsvangirai said the veteran leader would be given the status of "father of the nation" if his 28-year rule ended.
Mr Tsvangirai has demanded "unfettered access of all international observers" and journalists covering the vote and called for southern African peacekeepers to curtail any violence.
But in an apparent softening of his stance towards Mr Mugabe, he said the veteran leader would be given the status of "father of the nation" if his 28-year rule ended.
Mr Tsvangirai said he gave the assurances at a meeting with Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, a close ally of Mr Mugabe.
Last month, Mr Tsvangirai said his rival should be put on trial for alleged war crimes.Last month, Mr Tsvangirai said his rival should be put on trial for alleged war crimes.
According to official declarations, the opposition leader won 47.9% of the vote, against 43.2% for Mr Mugabe.According to official declarations, the opposition leader won 47.9% of the vote, against 43.2% for Mr Mugabe.
Although the first round was largely peaceful, the results were not announced until 2 May.Although the first round was largely peaceful, the results were not announced until 2 May.
The MDC says the delay gave the authorities time to rig the counting and carry out attacks on its supporters in anticipation of a run-off. The MDC says the delay gave the authorities time to rig the counting and carry out attacks on its supporters.