POLITICS: ZIMBABWE ELECTION UPDATE

The Zimbabwe elections took place March 29, and it is only today that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has issued out the OFFICIAL presidential election results. According to the ZEC, Morgan Tsvangirai got 47.9% of the votes, Mugabe got 43.2% and Simba Makoni got 8.9%The results have not been verified by the candidates yet, but I'm sure that Tsvangirai is not happy with the results.

According to Zimbabwean law, a candidate has to win by 50% or more of the votes in order to avoid a run-off election. Tsvangirai has openly stated that he will not do a run-off election, especially after supporters of Mugabe's party, ZANU-PF has been ambushing and attacking MDC supporters across the country. With ZANU-PF trying to intimidate and frighten away MDC supporters, the run-off elections are almost bound to be unfair and might produce a win for Mugabe.

Tsvangirai declared very early on, a few days after the election in early April, that he won the election by 50.3%. The ZEC stated that they will decide on an upcoming date for the run-off election - and acc. to Zimbabwean law, it has to occur in the next 21 days. If Tsvangirai pulls out of the race, Mugabe will maintain his hold on power.

Yikes.