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M. Continuo

Zimbabwe presidential runoff vote delayed


    HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's runoff presidential election has been delayed and will now be held within 90 days of May 2, when official results of the disputed vote was released, Zimbabwe's government announced on Wednesday.

    Results from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission of thedisputed March 29 election showed opposition leader MorganTsvangirai beat veteran President Mugabe in the presidentialpoll, but not by enough votes to avoid a run-off.

    In a parliamentary election held on the same day, theruling ZANU-PF party lost its majority to the opposition forthe first time since independence from Britain in 1980.

    In a special government notices gazette published onWednesday, Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa said:

    "Not withstanding Section 110 of the Electoral Act, theperiod within which a second election for the office of thepresident is hereby extended from 21 days to 90 days from thedate of announcement of results of the first poll."

    Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Nelson Chamisatold Reuters, "But to us this is illegal and unfair. It is partof a programme to give Mugabe and ZANU-PF time to torment andcontinue a campaign of violence on the MDC."

    The MDC accuses ZANU-PF of waging a campaign of violenceand intimidation against its supporters as part of efforts torig the vote. It says 32 of its supporters have been killed inthe aftermath of the elections.

    The government denies the accusations.

    (Reporting by Cris Chinaka; Writing by Caroline Drees)