Zimbabwe vote recount 'nearly complete'

Recounts of disputed parliamentary seats have confirmed the opposition party’s majority in parliament, Zimbabwe state media reports today.

The 'Sunday Mail' says the recount should be finished by tomorrow.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission will then invite President Robert Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to a final “verification and collation exercise” on the presidential vote.

Tsvangirai is widely believed to have won a majority in elections one month ago.

Since then, there has been an upsurge in arrests and violence against opposition supporters.

The electoral commission said the recount of 18 of 23 seats confirmed the initial results.

Even if Mugabe’s party wins the last five, it will not be enough.