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Tsvangirai: Save Yourselves, Vote Mugabe

Sham election gets underway today

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 27, 2008 3:45 AM CDT
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(Newser) – As Zimbabwe's sham run-off election for president began to get underway, even opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai urged supporters to vote for Robert Mugabe to save themselves from the violent intimidation orchestrated by the government, the Guardian reports. Mugabe's militia has conducted a terror campaign of murder, abduction, imprisonment and rape to cow opposition supporters.

"In villages, people have been told they will be gathered in places for the whole night and taken together to vote in the morning," said one opposition legislator. "People are terribly cowed and terrified, especially in rural areas. We've advised those who can escape to do so, to do what they have to survive."

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe at his final election campaign rally. Friday's poll is widely regarded as a sham.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe at his final election campaign rally. Friday's poll is widely regarded as a sham.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Hundreds of opposition supporters from around Zimbabwe take refuge within the South African Embassy grounds in Harare following attacks by Robert Mugabe's militia.
Hundreds of opposition supporters from around Zimbabwe take refuge within the South African Embassy grounds in Harare following attacks by Robert Mugabe's militia.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe. He has withdrawn from Friday's poll and advised supporters to vote for Mugabe to save their own lives.
Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe. He has withdrawn from Friday's poll and advised supporters to vote for Mugabe to save their own lives.   (AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
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Soldiers, war vets to force voters to polls
Zimbabwe Independent

Zimbabweans told they must vote in runoff
Los Angeles Times

 
Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • Morgan Tsvangirai • murder • abduction • election fraud • Zanu-PF • Zimbabwe Election Support Network • Operation Elimination • imprisonment • intimidation

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