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| Criticism mounts on Zimbabwe poll | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| International criticism is mounting on Zimbabwe after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of a presidential run-off because of pre-poll violence. | International criticism is mounting on Zimbabwe after opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai pulled out of a presidential run-off because of pre-poll violence. |
| Zambia's leader Levy Mwanawasa, who heads a regional bloc, said a vote held in current conditions would be an "embarrassment" to the region. | |
| The US urged UN action over President Robert Mugabe's "illegitimate" regime. | The US urged UN action over President Robert Mugabe's "illegitimate" regime. |
| Zimbabwe's ruling party said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had withdrawn from the poll to avoid "humiliation". | Zimbabwe's ruling party said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had withdrawn from the poll to avoid "humiliation". |
| KEY POLL COMPLAINTS Violence: 86 killed, 200,000 displacedMDC rallies bannedMDC leaders arrested, harassedFood aid not given to opposition areasState media refused MDC advertsZanu-PF supporters to be used as election officials Fresh dilemmas over ZimbabweDay of drama in HarareMDC pull-out: Zimbabwe reactsTsvangirai withdrawal: Key quotes | KEY POLL COMPLAINTS Violence: 86 killed, 200,000 displacedMDC rallies bannedMDC leaders arrested, harassedFood aid not given to opposition areasState media refused MDC advertsZanu-PF supporters to be used as election officials Fresh dilemmas over ZimbabweDay of drama in HarareMDC pull-out: Zimbabwe reactsTsvangirai withdrawal: Key quotes |
| On Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change, said that there was no point running when elections would not be free and fair and "the outcome is determined by.. Mugabe himself". | On Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change, said that there was no point running when elections would not be free and fair and "the outcome is determined by.. Mugabe himself". |
| The opposition's decision came after its supporters, heading to a rally in the capital Harare, came under attack. | The opposition's decision came after its supporters, heading to a rally in the capital Harare, came under attack. |
| The MDC says some 86 supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by ruling Zanu-PF party militias. | The MDC says some 86 supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by ruling Zanu-PF party militias. |
| President Mugabe and Zanu-PF blame the opposition for political violence across the country, although the veteran leader said last week that the MDC would "never, ever" be allowed to rule Zimbabwe. | President Mugabe and Zanu-PF blame the opposition for political violence across the country, although the veteran leader said last week that the MDC would "never, ever" be allowed to rule Zimbabwe. |
| Zimbabwe's Information Minister Sikhanyio Ndlovu told the BBC that Mr Tsvangirai's decision was "depriving the people of Zimbabwe of a vote". | Zimbabwe's Information Minister Sikhanyio Ndlovu told the BBC that Mr Tsvangirai's decision was "depriving the people of Zimbabwe of a vote". |
| Government officials said the run-off vote would go ahead, unless Mr Tsvangirai submitted a formal letter of withdrawal. | Government officials said the run-off vote would go ahead, unless Mr Tsvangirai submitted a formal letter of withdrawal. |
| 'Scandalous' | 'Scandalous' |
| Reacting to the MDC's decision, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa said the poll must be postponed "to avert a catastrophe in the region". | Reacting to the MDC's decision, Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa said the poll must be postponed "to avert a catastrophe in the region". |
| Tsvangirai quits election race | Tsvangirai quits election race |
| He called on the regional group, the South African Development Community (Sadc), to take a similar stance, saying that Zimbabwe had failed to meet minimum election campaign. | He called on the regional group, the South African Development Community (Sadc), to take a similar stance, saying that Zimbabwe had failed to meet minimum election campaign. |
| "It's scandalous for SADC to remain silent on Zimbabwe. What is happening in Zimbabwe is embarrassing to all of us," President Mwanawasa said. | "It's scandalous for SADC to remain silent on Zimbabwe. What is happening in Zimbabwe is embarrassing to all of us," President Mwanawasa said. |
| In New York, UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon's office issued a statement saying the UN chief "deeply regrets that, despite the repeated appeals of the international community, the government of Zimbabwe has failed to put in place the conditions necessary for free and fair run-off elections". | In New York, UN Secretary Ban Ki-moon's office issued a statement saying the UN chief "deeply regrets that, despite the repeated appeals of the international community, the government of Zimbabwe has failed to put in place the conditions necessary for free and fair run-off elections". |
| The statement described the situation in Zimbabwe as "deeply distressing". | The statement described the situation in Zimbabwe as "deeply distressing". |
| 'Senseless' | 'Senseless' |
| In Washington, White House spokesman Carlton Carroll said in a statement that "the Mugabe regime reinforces its illegitimacy everyday". | In Washington, White House spokesman Carlton Carroll said in a statement that "the Mugabe regime reinforces its illegitimacy everyday". |
| "The senseless acts of violence against the opposition as well as election monitors must stop," the statement said. | "The senseless acts of violence against the opposition as well as election monitors must stop," the statement said. |
| Mugabe will remain unopposed to seek revenge and retribution on all who stood for democracy and change Sam, St Lucia MDC pull-out: Have your sayProfile: Morgan Tsvangirai | Mugabe will remain unopposed to seek revenge and retribution on all who stood for democracy and change Sam, St Lucia MDC pull-out: Have your sayProfile: Morgan Tsvangirai |
| US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that unless the UN Security Council acted on the issue, it stood to lose credibility. | US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said that unless the UN Security Council acted on the issue, it stood to lose credibility. |
| South Africa urged Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to continue talks with the government to find a political solution. | South Africa urged Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) to continue talks with the government to find a political solution. |
| "We are very encouraged that Mr Tsvangirai, himself, says he is not closing the door completely on negotiations," said a spokesman for South African President Thabo Mbeki. | "We are very encouraged that Mr Tsvangirai, himself, says he is not closing the door completely on negotiations," said a spokesman for South African President Thabo Mbeki. |
| BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says the key question now is what Mr Mbeki will do. | BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says the key question now is what Mr Mbeki will do. |
| He is in the best position to step up the pressure on Mr Mugabe, since Zimbabwe is so economically dependent on South Africa, our analyst says. | He is in the best position to step up the pressure on Mr Mugabe, since Zimbabwe is so economically dependent on South Africa, our analyst says. |
| In London, Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the BBC: "Robert Mugabe has certainly not won the election, in fact the only people who can claim that are the opposition," he said. | In London, Britain's Foreign Secretary David Miliband told the BBC: "Robert Mugabe has certainly not won the election, in fact the only people who can claim that are the opposition," he said. |
| The MDC won the parliamentary vote in March, and claims to have won the first round of the presidential contest outright. | The MDC won the parliamentary vote in March, and claims to have won the first round of the presidential contest outright. |
| In the official results, Mr Tsvangirai led but failed to gain enough votes to avoid a run-off. | In the official results, Mr Tsvangirai led but failed to gain enough votes to avoid a run-off. |
| Are you in Zimbabwe? Do you agree with the MDC's decision? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. | Are you in Zimbabwe? Do you agree with the MDC's decision? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |