afrol News, 28 March - President Robert Mugabe has been predicted the winner of weekend polls, a survey conducted by the University of Zimbabwe's department of Political Science and Administration.

The countrywide survey puts Mr Mugabe ahead of his rivals. The incumbent leader is expected to grab at least 56% of the votes.

President Mugabe, who had been in power since 1980, scored 52% of the votes during the 2002 election.

Conducted under the auspices of Dr Joseph Kurebwa, the Chairman of Political Science and Administration department, the month-long survey also predicts a sweeping victory for Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party.

The party is tipped to clinch a total of 41 Senate and 137 legislative seats.

This will ensure yet another two-thirds parliamentary majority for Mr Mugabe's party.

Dr Kurebwa's previous survey results were uncontested. The current survey samples opinions of over 10,000 people across Zimbabwe.

Mr Mugabe's two arch-rivals - Morgan Tsvangirai and Simba Makoni - have been placed second and third positions, clinching 26 and 13%, respectively. Another independent presidential runner, Langton Towungana, is predicted to score less than 1%.

Mr Tsvangirai's MDC faction is expected to win 13 senate and 53 parliamentary seats. Dr Kurebwa said Arthur Mutambara's MDC faction will win six senate and 18 parliamentary seats.

Two independent candidates, including the outgoing MP for Tsholotsho, Jonathan Moyo, are expected to grab their seats.

Mr Mugabe's victory is also confirmed by Mr Moyo and David Coltart, a member of the Mutambara faction.

Dr Kurebwa said Mr Mubage's victory has been proven by last week's mock presidential mock ballot exercise.

"We have teams that are right now carrying out a mock election. People are given ballot papers and asked to vote in just the same way and procedure they will do on Saturday. So far, the results indicate more or less the same thing as the month-long survey," he assured.

He said Tsvangirai's votes will be reduced by the entrance of Makoni.

"Makoni is pulling his numbers from Harare and Bulawayo, which are areas the MDC has concentrated its campaign resources in. At the same time, the ruling party also believes that it should regain these urban constituencies and hence there is a tussle there."

He said the ruling party gains advantage over the opposition by concentrating its resources in the rural areas.

"On the other hand, neither Makoni nor Tsvangirai has made any real attempts to market themselves there. So you have a situation where the areas the opposition are targeting being free for all while Zanu-PF is left alone to take the rural vote."

Ahead of tomorrow's harmonised polls, Zimbabwean security forces have beenput on high alert to avert any unforeseen circumstances in the country.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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