Opposition claims victory based on polling-place tallies
Guardian (UK) Apr 2, 08 8:20 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Zimbabwe’s opposition party declared victory today, after finishing its independent tally of polling place results. But the state-run newspaper is predicting a run-off, a sign that Robert Mugabe intends to fight to keep power, the Guardian reports. According to the opposition poll, challenger Morgan Tsvangirai won the vote 50.3% to 43.8%, squeaking by the 50% mark needed to prevent a run-off.
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Opposition leader dismisses rumors
but prepares to govern
BBC Apr 1, 08 6:49 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Zimbabwe's opposition party—the apparent winner in national elections— and the government of Robert Mugabe dismissed rumors that a deal has been reached for Mugabe to step down, the BBC reports. “Any speculation about deals, about negotiations, about reaching out” is false, said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. A minister from Mugabe’s party agreed. Official election results are expected tomorrow.
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Zimbabwe teeters as election results delayed
Guardian (UK) Apr 1, 08 7:26 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Three days after Zimbabweans turned out in massive numbers to vote in presidential and parliamentary polls, confusion reigns: President Robert Mugabe's party has privately conceded that he lost to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai by 43% to 48%, the Guardian reports, reflecting independent tallies. But since neither man won the 51% necessary, a runoff will be needed.
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Mugabe, opposition split in early districts
BBC Mar 31, 08 9:27 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Zimbabwe finally announced some official election results today, the BBC reports, after a lengthy delay renewed apprehension about vote-rigging in Saturday's balloting. The party of challenger Morgan Tsvangirai says he holds a 60%-30% lead over President Robert Mugabe with over half the 210 constituencies counted. But of the 24 parliamentary districts tallied, Mugabe’s Zanu-PF party has split with the opposition MDC.
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UK minister says opposition 'likely' won despite 'cheating'
BBC Mar 30, 08 5:44 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Observers fear President Mugabe is rigging the vote while election results are delayed in Zimbabwe, the BBC reports. Officials blame the holdup on a flood of ballots, but one monitor said he had “no doubt” the results were known. “The delay is fuelling speculation that there could be something going on,” said Noel Kututwa, the head of the Zimbabwe Election Support Network.
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Early pronouncement will be dealt with as a 'coup'
Reuters Mar 30, 08 6:20 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The Zimbabwe opposition is claiming victory in national elections to unseat long-time leader Robert Mugabe—but government authorities quickly warned that premature pronouncements would be dealt with harshly. "It is called a coup d'etat and we all know how coups are handled," warned a government spokesman. Authorities plan to announce official results today. President Mugabe faced the most formidable opposition in his 28-year reign in yesterday's elections.
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Opposition charges prez with inflating
voter roles
Reuters Mar 29, 08 2:24 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Zimbabwe is voting in a national ballot today as opponents accuse Africa’s longest-serving ruler of rigging the vote, Reuters reports. “We will succeed. We will conquer,” declared a characteristically confident President Robert Mugabe, 84, who dismissed talk of corrupted voting. “We don't rig elections. I cannot sleep with my conscience if I have rigged.”
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Threaten Kenya-like uprising if Zimbabwe's election is rigged
Guardian (UK) Mar 27, 08 5:22 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The opposition to Zimbabwe’s ruling party threatened to incite Kenya-style protests if Saturday’s election is rigged as expected, the Guardian reports. President Mugabe has told Zimbabweans not to waste their votes by supporting the other candidates, who “will never be allowed to rule this country.” Mugabe said his security forces would quickly put down any protests.
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Intimidation of opposition alleged ahead of Saturday elections
Guardian (UK) Mar 26, 08 7:23 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Robert Mugabe's government is harassing and intimidating opposition groups in the run-up to Zimbabwe's Saturday elections, human-rights organizations charge. Three members of an opposition party were forced by intelligence officers to take down their election posters and eat them, complains Amnesty International. The US has also raised concerns about the fairness of the upcoming vote, the Guardian reports.
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Opposition charges government draws supporters from fake names
Times (UK) Mar 18, 08 12:39 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Opposition leaders in Zimbabwe are liable to have a tough time taking votes away from Robert Mugabe's party in next week's elections, the Times of London reports. They say voting lists have been packed with the names of dead and nonexistent people to allow Mugabe supporters to vote repeatedly and give him a huge majority.
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State Dept. report drops China from top 10 worst abusers despite poor record
New York Times Mar 12, 08 10:26 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The State Department has taken China off its list of the world's 10 worst human rights abusers, the New York Time s reports. China's human rights record "remained poor," the department's annual report said, with abuses including "extrajudicial killings, torture, and coerced confessions of prisoners." Officials declined to explain why the country was dropped from the list or whether it had anything to do with the Beijing Olympics.
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Pre-election ploy also affects firms owned by white Zimbabweans
Financial Times (UK) Mar 10, 08 10:52 AM CDT
(Newser)
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With 3 weeks to go before the presidential election, Robert Mugabe has signed legislation allowing the government of Zimbabwe to take over foreign- and white-owned businesses, the Financial Times reports. With his ex-finance minister mounting a strong challenge, the incumbent is returning to a tested strategy—his party used land confiscations from whites to help it win elections in 2000 and 2002.
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