|
Mugabe 'chose poll rig over coup'
ZIMBABWE's ruling party edged ahead of the main opposition yesterday in official election results, amid reports that President Robert Mugabe and the security forces had decided to rig the outcome of the poll as an alternative to a military takeover to keep him in power.Riot police in armoured carriers patrolled two of Harare's opposition strongholds overnight, and residents were told to stay off the normally bustling streets. Three days after the most important vote since the country won independence from Britain, 109 out of the 210 parliamentary constituencies had been declared, showing the ruling ZANU-PF party two seats ahead of the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change. No results have been announced for the presidential vote, in which Mugabe faces the most formidable political challenge ofhis 28 years in power - from his old rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, and from ruling party defector Simba Makoni. Posted by: Fred 2008-04-02 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=235757 |