Mugabe's opponents fear he will steal 'lost' election

Fears were growing tonight that Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe was planning a massive election fraud in the face of overwhelming defeat by his opponents.

Only a trickle of official results from Saturday’s ballot had emerged, leading critics to say they were being deliberately delayed until the president’s supporters could rig the result.

The main opposition party issued its own figures saying it had taken 60% of the ballot compared to 30% for Mugabe.

One of Mugabe’s cabinet, Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, lost his seat in a district seen as a ruling party stronghold, one of just 38 results issued today by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

The official tally gave 19 wins each to the ruling party and Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC.

The elections have presented Mugabe, 84, with the toughest challenge yet to his 28-year rule. The voting was generally peaceful after a campaign that focused on the destroyed economy, with inflation soaring beyond 100,000%.

MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti said the party’s sources at the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said rigging was under way aimed at giving Mugabe a 52% victory in the presidential race, and his party 111 of the 210 House of Assembly seats. A presidential candidate needs at least 50% plus one to avoid a second round vote.

The slow official reporting “only goes to raise tension among the people,” Mr Biti said.

He indicated if the vote were stolen, the opposition would mount peaceful protests and not go to the courts.

“We have election disputes still pending from 2002” in the courts, he said. “We are not going to make that mistake again. Our courts will be the people of Zimbabwe and our brothers and sisters in Africa.”

Mr Biti cautioned against resorting to violence, which he said could spark a security or military crackdown.

“Zimbabweans are rightfully anxious,” he said. “Zimbabweans are not a violent people and we hope people are not provoked into violence if official results differ from those posted at polling stations.”

Britain, Germany and the EU called for faster reporting to ease tension.

Justice minister Chinamasa’s loss fits a pattern independent monitors had seen earlier. They said six Cabinet ministers, some leading members of Mugabe’s inner circle, had lost their parliament seats.

In addition, observers from the South African Democratic Alliance opposition party have said accounts from observers and other sources indicated the opposition had won a majority in most areas.

But Mr Tsvangirai narrowly lost disputed 2002 elections, and questions remained as to whether Mugabe would accept defeat this time.

It also was unclear how powerful backers who have benefited from Mugabe’s rule would react. While younger army officers are reported to be losing patience with Mugabe, security chiefs said before the election they would not accept an opposition victory.

A show of force by riot police and other security forces dampened celebrations Sunday in the capital’s densely populated suburb where support for the opposition is strong.

Election observers have said some initial results were known as early as four hours after polls closed on Saturday. In previous elections, partial results have been announced soon after voting ended.

Businesses in Harare reported many people stayed at home today, apparently to follow results. Zimbabweans shared election results among themselves, sending text messages and emails that congested the country’s networks.

Sources within the ruling party said Mugabe was consulting with his security chiefs amid fears of how they might react to any news of his defeat. The chiefs all have said they would serve only Mugabe.

Western diplomats said that many younger army officers showed open defiance of orders to vote for Mugabe.