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/7468505.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Criticism mounts on Zimbabwe poll Zimbabwe under pressure over poll
(about 4 hours 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.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Zimbabwe's ruling party said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had withdrawn from the poll to avoid "humiliation".Zimbabwe's ruling party said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had withdrawn from the poll to avoid "humiliation".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 reacts class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7468091.stm">Tsvangirai 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 reacts
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 people of Zimbabwe had declared war against any interest which seeks to recolonise this country," Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told the BBC.
The opposition's decision came after its supporters, heading to a rally in the capital Harare, came under attack. "But it has also been clear that Tsvangirai has not been ready for the run-off. He has set out to run a sprint, and it has turned out that in fact it is a marathon."
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 Movement for Democratic Change (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".
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'
The MDC says some 86 supporters have been killed and 200,000 forced from their homes by ruling Zanu-PF party militias.
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 FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME class="" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/default.stm">More from Today programme
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 South African Development Community (Sadc) to take a similar stance, saying that Zimbabwe had failed to meet minimum election campaign standards.
"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". US officials said they were prepared to raise the issue with the UN Security Council.
The statement described the situation in Zimbabwe as "deeply distressing". Mugabe will remain unopposed to seek revenge and retribution on all who stood for democracy and change Sam, St Lucia class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=4975&edition=2&ttl=20080622135550">MDC pull-out: Have your say class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6439617.stm">Profile: Morgan Tsvangirai class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/7468091.stm">Tsvangirai withdrawal: Key quotes
'Senseless' 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
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. A statement from the office of EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said the elections had become a "travesty of democracy" and were "not worthy of the African continent of today".
"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. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said an election without Mr Tsvangirai would be "the biggest denial of democracy that Africa has known".
BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says the key question now is what Mr Mbeki will do. Economic crisis
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. On Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai said that there was no point running when elections would not be free and fair and "the outcome is determined by... Mugabe himself".
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. Tsvangirai quits election race
He said that while the decision had been a difficult one it was necessary to protect the people of Zimbabwe. The opposition's decision came after its supporters, heading to a rally in the capital Harare, came under attack.
The BBC's Peter Biles says Mr Tsvangirai did not want to expose his supporters to any more violence.
He will now be hoping that Sadc will refuse to confer legitimacy on the process, he says.
Our correspondent adds that the country's economic crisis - with unofficial figures putting inflation at two million per cent - could drive Zimbabwe's government to negotiate for a political solution.
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.
Name
 Name