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'No need to hurry' in releasing Zimbabwe poll result



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Published Date: 08 April 2008
By Jane Fields
in Harare
ZIMBABWE'S electoral commission made the astonishing claim yesterday that there was no need for urgency in releasing the long-awaited results of presidential elections that Robert Mugabe may have lost.
Lawyers for the state Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) asked a High Court judge in Harare yesterday to rule that the announcement of the results from the 29 March poll was not "an urgent matter".

The judge, Tendai Uchena, was due to rule on the
case this morning.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) headed by Morgan Tsvangirai went to court at the weekend to try to force the electoral commission to release the results.

Mr Tsvangirai, 56, claims he won the poll with 50.3 per cent of the vote.

Independent observers say the figure may be nearer 49 per cent. This will force the opposition leader into a run-off against Mr Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980.

There are fears that the 84-year-old leader is using the delay to prepare the ground for a bitter campaign for re-election.

Mr Mugabe is reported to be furious that his Zanu-PF party lost control of parliament in the elections.

The electoral commission has already tried to block the appeal once, arguing on Sunday that the court had no jurisdiction over the poll.

Mr Uchena overturned that objection, confirming yesterday that the court could rule on the matter. Lawyers for the ZEC then argued that the matter was not urgent, said a lawyer for the opposition. "We're going round in circles," Alec Muchadehama said.

Mr Tsvangirai has asked the United Nations and the African Union to help convince Mr Mugabe to step down. The MDC leader was in South Africa yesterday for meetings with "important people", the party's secretary-general, Tendai Biti, said.





The full article contains 308 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 07 April 2008 10:46 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
  • Related Topics: Zimbabwe
 
1

The Daleks,

Longmen 08/04/2008 05:27:10
I'm sure that the next bunch of robbers can wait a bit longer for Mr Rumbabwe to move over.
2

Mashimaro,

China 08/04/2008 10:07:34
We're getting there, Daleks, slowly but surely, we're getting there.
And the great thing is there is nothing you or your whinging friends can do about it. mu ha ha ah ah ha ha
3

The Daleks,

Longmen 08/04/2008 10:38:36
#2 Marshmallow.

Oh, hello Trollboy, what are you up to today?

Ah, that's right, posting drivel!!

Have fun.
4

Guga II,

Rockall 08/04/2008 11:33:57
There is no hurry as Mugabe and his thugs will fix the results, one way or another.

#2 Mushy Marrow (The Rabid Rabbit) What are you raving about now?
5

Boy Wonder,

08/04/2008 11:52:10
I still see bloodshed and anarchy in Zimbabwe's future ... and the corruption goes on, with the Electoral Commission a full pertner-in-crime of the Mugabe Tyranny.
6

oder,

Scotland 08/04/2008 11:56:25
makes you wonder why they bothered to have an election in the first place, it should be clear now to the most ardent Mugabe apologists that Ian Smith was right in saying Mugabe could not do the job and any form of democracy would not be tolerated.
I guess there isn't enough honesty around! Africa is in line for more suffering deprivation and sorrow at the hands of these so called freedom fighters and the great democracies will stand by and watch! by doing nothing you encourage these tyrants and the ordinary Africans are suppose to believe that democracy is a good thing!
right and wrong! good and bad! obviously the west`s democracy has no faith in such values these days, interesting to see how even amongst the ordinary Africans most have a strong sense of such things, how you will ever managed to persuade them of the virtues of democracy?
7

Silence of the Yams,

08/04/2008 12:30:39
Is anyone surprised at the goings on in black Africa anymore? We've had four decades of despotism, famine and genocide since the end of colonial rule. These people are incapable of civilised society or any economic wealth creation.
8

Mashimaro,

china 08/04/2008 13:19:46
Boy Wonder - is that in yer crystal ball?
9

Mashimaro,

China 08/04/2008 13:23:52
Oder: Did you arrogant western numptys every consider that some countries and some people just don't do well under "democracy"? I realise you spread it with evangelical zeal, killing, maiming, destroying all before you - but give it a break... it sucked in Russia, it sucked in Taiwan, it sucked in Africa and it sucked in Afghanistan. It's not going to work in Iraq. Just give it up and go home. Your time is over, your society is weak and useless, there are other world leaders now - thank you for your efforts and enjoy your retirement.
10

Mashimaro,

China 08/04/2008 13:27:53
#Silence of the Yams

Darn right.
11

Guga II,

Rockall 08/04/2008 15:11:50
#9 Mushy Marrow (The Rabid Rabbit). You've obviously missed out on your shots; better have them before you start foaming at the mouth.
12

Media 1,

08/04/2008 18:11:19
hahahaha! Africa eh
The African union sits back and does nothing, SA and Mbeki do nothing and Zimbabwe is a total and utter basket case. hahahahahah!
Oh these Africans eh, they are masters of chaos, poverty, failure, incompetence, stupidity, charitable hand outs and a lack of inventiveness.
But they are good at dancing! lmfao
What a bunch of losers
13

oder,

Scotland 08/04/2008 19:36:03
9 Mashimaro,China

listen up you pr*ck! I was in Africa when you Glorious Leader decided to save the Africans and build the Tanzam Railway! and to call in "Junk" would be an understatement,an insult to honourable scrap merchants. the first major attempt by China to become involved in Africa was an utter failure, as are all communist states, democracy may have failed in some states but there are still more around and successful that than North Korea , Cuba or even China, your country is only now beginning to catch on to the democratic principle capitalism and the benefits for the people of China, this only happened when the leaders in Beijing realized that making money was a good thing! now China needs the trade just to improve the quality of life for its citizens, you have a long way to go before your anywhere near ready to help Africa.
Mao will be turning in is grave if he saw the amount of capitalists in China today, as for me being democratic I argue the case for democracy I don't impose it on anyone, it is you who show`s an arrogant attitude make sure you wear a hat in the African sun you will need it. I heard they are not in any hurry to have any railway lines built.
14

Mashimaro,

China 09/04/2008 08:57:01
My dear Oder

Let me be the first to tell you that communism is a politcal system and capitalism a financial one. Democracy and capitalism do not go hand in hand. I would point you to take a good, hard look at Singapore.

We're already helpin Africa. We're baaaaaa aaaaaack
15

oder,

SCOTLAND 09/04/2008 09:43:04
14 Mashimaro,China

thanks for explaining the obvious! while Mao was running the country millions were starving, Africans have plenty of experience in starvation picked up from their despot leaders who indulged Marxism and Mao version of it, non of it a success! the point that was being made "O enlightened one" China was a failure till it started to get involved capitalism the growth that China is experiencing now is due to their direct involvement into it.

"We're already helpin Africa. We're baaaaaa aaaaaack"

may I suggest you fix the Tanzam line this time, that costs the Africans a packet it would be helpful if it actually works!

well hopefully! your standards and quality of workmanship will have improved since the last time!

here's Hoping
16

Mashimaro,

China 12/04/2008 09:10:44
I'm sure if we need it to move the resource out we will rebuild it
*burp*

 

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