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Zimbabwe: ZEC Says MDC Playing Games
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The Zimbabwe Guardian (London)
5 May 2008
Posted to the web 5 May 2008
Samantha Chidzero
GEORGE Chiweshe, the ZEC chairman has attacked the Movement for Democratic Change, which he accused of "playing games" in the vote verification process.
Chiweshe said that while the ruling Zanu PF party and independent presidential candidate Simba Makoni had produced their own voting numbers to compare with those of the commission, the MDC had failed to do so, despite being given extra time.
Chiweshe said that both the Zanu PF and Makoni figures were identical to those compiled by the commission, but no comparison with the MDC figures had been possible because the opposition refused to produce its voting numbers.
The MDC has not responded to these claims. They met over the weekend to decide on whether to contest a run-off election or not.
The party has, however, indicated that if it is to contest the election there should be international observer missions and a guarantee of prompt publication of the results.
An official of the party told the AFP news agency that the MDC was busy discussing conditions for a second round of voting. One condition they have set is that United Nations officials be invited to observe the elections.
"There are a number of conditions which we have lined up, such as the United Nations being invited to observe the run-off," the MDC official who preferred anonymity was quoted as saying.
"The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has lost credibility, so we feel the Southern African Development Community (SADC) should come and assist ZEC.
"Results should be announced within 48 hours after the elections, and Zanu PF should accept the results. We also demand that soldiers should be removed from the rural areas and return to their barracks," the official added.
These demands are almost certain to be rejected by both the government and the electoral commission.
The ZEC has still not announced a date for the run-off election but this week MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and his advisers will have to decide whether to contest the election or hand President Robert Mugabe victory unopposed.
The MDC's hopes that international and regional pressure will force President Mugabe to allow international observers to monitor the second round are unlikely to be realized.
Ruling Zanu PF members have already indicated that they will contest the run-off election and are determined to win it.
The party is also contesting in court 52 of the 109 parliamentary seats won by the MDC. They allege cases of fraud and vote rigging. Some electoral officials allegedly loyal to the MDC have already been convicted in Zimbabwe courts for various elections related offences.
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No date has yet been set for the second round of presidential voting, but it is likely to be in the last week of May or the first half of June.
ZEC it's the one to blame for all this..they're the ones playing games..1month after the elections they come with all this buls****....
ZEC, please inform the people of Zimbabwe when this Run-off is to be undertaken,so people can anticipate when they are going to have another re-rerun-off,if the word exists.
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