Powell blasts Zimbabwe election process

US Secretary of State Colin Powell today said presidential elections in Zimbabwe were marked by ‘‘numerous and profound irregularities’’ that will lead to a deepening of the crisis in that country.

Mr Powell commented in a statement through his spokesman, Richard Boucher, after the Zimbabwe government announced that President Robert Mugabe had triumphed in weekend balloting.

‘‘Mr Mugabe may claim victory but not democratic legitimacy,’’ Mr Powell said, pointedly omitting his official title of President.

Suggesting that Mr Mugabe lost the election to opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai, Mr Powell said the outcome did not reflect the will of the Zimbabwean people.

He said the abuses did not begin with the balloting. ‘‘The pre-election period was marked by a sustained government-orchestrated campaign of intimidation and violence,’’ he said, adding that the subversion of the democratic process has been going on for more than two years.

The policies of Mr Mugabe’s government ‘‘have been marked by a blatant disregard for the rule of law, serious human rights abuses, a broad repression of the Zimbabwean electorate, and ultimately the disenfranchisement of thousands of Zimbabwean voters’’, he said.

He raised the possibility that the US may impose sanctions beyond the travel sanctions announced last month by President Bush.

Mr Bush suspended US entry privileges for Mr Mugabe, his family or senior members of the government.

He also denied entry to those who received ‘‘significant financial benefit’’ from dealings with Zimbabwean officials who carried out Mr Mugabe’s policies.

US officials said the administration may freeze assets of Zimbabwean officials involved in the alleged rigging of the democratic process.

Another possibility is the banning of commercial export licenses of defence articles and services.

Mr Boucher said the US will be consulting with other governments on what steps to take.