President Robert Mugabe’s ruling party won a two-thirds majority in parliamentary elections, giving him the necessary majority to press ahead with his plans to change the constitution to further strengthen his grip on power, interim results showed.

Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic change has won nine out of the first 10 parliamentary seats for which votes have been tallied, electoral officials said today.

ON the surface, it looked good. Zimbabweans lined up peacefully and cast votes in a general election that President Robert Mugabe says will vindicate his near 25-year rule.

FIVE years of violence, intimidation, voting irregularities and restrictive legislation have slanted Zimbabwe’s electoral playing field in favour of President Robert Mugabe, Human Rights Watch said in a report issued yesterday.

Zimbabwe’s split ruling party has postponed the launch of its general election campaign for a week to select two remaining candidates.

President Robert Mugabe brushed aside a dramatic rift in his ruling party today, insisting members were united and ready to fight opponents at home and abroad as Zimbabwe moves toward elections next year.

ZIMBABWEAN President Robert Mugabe appeared more isolated than ever after he pulled his country out of the Commonwealth, a move the opposition in the impoverished southern African country slammed as illegal.