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Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai angry with Mugabe over 'poll date' Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai angry with Mugabe over poll date
(35 minutes later)
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has unilaterally declared that elections will be held on 31 July, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said. Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has acted "unconstitutionally" by declaring an election date, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said.
He would not accept the date, saying Mr Mugabe had acted "unconstitutionally". Mr Mugabe set the polls for 31 July - the deadline given by the Constitutional Court.
Mr Tsvangirai has been pushing for key reforms as a condition for elections.Mr Tsvangirai has been pushing for key reforms as a condition for elections.
Mr Mugabe has not officially announced an election date, but has said he would abide by a court ruling that they must be held by 31 July, heralding the end of Zimbabwe's coalition government. After four years of coalition government, the two men are set to resume their bitter rivalry in the presidential poll.
'Challenge of interpretation' Mr Tsvangirai, 61, pulled out of the second round of the previous election, in 2008, accusing the security forces and pro-Mugabe militias of attacking his supporters around the country.
The two leaders formed the fractious coalition in 2009 under pressure from regional leaders following elections marred by violence and allegations of vote-rigging. Mr Mugabe, 89, denied any links to the violence.
Mr Mugabe, 89, and Mr Tsvangirai, 61, are both expected to contest the presidential election. He named the election date using a presidential decree to bypass parliament, reports the Reuters news agency.
Mr Tsvangirai told journalists in the capital, Harare, that Zimbabwe could not hold elections before 25 August, Reuters news agency reports. "Given the deadline imposed by the Constitutional Court, it is inexpedient to await the passage through Parliament of an act dealing with the situation," it quotes Mr Mugabe as saying in an official government notice.
However, Mr Mugabe had decided to set 31 July as the election date, he said. Mr Tsvangirai told journalists in the capital, Harare, that Zimbabwe could not hold elections before 25 August, Reuters reports.
"President Mugabe is acting unlawfully and unconstitutionally," Mr Tsvangirai said."President Mugabe is acting unlawfully and unconstitutionally," Mr Tsvangirai said.
"As prime minister I cannot and will not accept this.""As prime minister I cannot and will not accept this."
Earlier this month, Zimbabwe's Constitutional Court ruled that elections must take place by 31 July and Mr Mugabe should announce a date "as soon as possible". Mr Mugabe had previously said he would abide by the court ruling and the coalition had "outlived its usefulness".
Mr Mugabe said he would abide by the ruling and the coalition had "outlived its usefulness".
However, Mr Tsvangirai said the court should be asked to review its decision, as more time was needed to prepare for elections.However, Mr Tsvangirai said the court should be asked to review its decision, as more time was needed to prepare for elections.
Parliament is still considering a draft electoral law, under which all parties will be given access to the state broadcaster, which is generally seen as a mouthpiece for Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party. 'Challenge of interpretation'
Parliament is still considering a draft electoral law, under which all parties would be given access to the state broadcaster, which is generally seen as a mouthpiece for Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.
Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has also been pushing for reforms to the security agencies, which it says are allied to Zanu-PF.Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has also been pushing for reforms to the security agencies, which it says are allied to Zanu-PF.
Trevor Maisiri, southern Africa analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank, said the 2009 power-sharing deal requires Mr Mugabe to consult Mr Tsvangirai on an election date, AFP news agency reports.Trevor Maisiri, southern Africa analyst at the International Crisis Group think tank, said the 2009 power-sharing deal requires Mr Mugabe to consult Mr Tsvangirai on an election date, AFP news agency reports.
"The interpretation of the word consultation is a bit of a challenge," he is quoted as saying."The interpretation of the word consultation is a bit of a challenge," he is quoted as saying.
The MDC argues that it means decisions have to be taken jointly, but Zanu-PF says that Mr Mugabe can decide "with their suggestions", Mr Maisiri said.The MDC argues that it means decisions have to be taken jointly, but Zanu-PF says that Mr Mugabe can decide "with their suggestions", Mr Maisiri said.
Five years ago, Mr Tsvangirai won the most votes in the first round of the presidential election but, according to official results, not enough to win outright.Five years ago, Mr Tsvangirai won the most votes in the first round of the presidential election but, according to official results, not enough to win outright.
He pulled out of the second round, saying his supporters were being targeted in a campaign of violence.He pulled out of the second round, saying his supporters were being targeted in a campaign of violence.
After Mr Mugabe went ahead with the election, winning with 85% of votes cast, regional mediators intervened to organise the power-sharing agreement.After Mr Mugabe went ahead with the election, winning with 85% of votes cast, regional mediators intervened to organise the power-sharing agreement.
Mr Mugabe has been in power since independence in 1980.Mr Mugabe has been in power since independence in 1980.