afrol News, 2 April - Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) claims its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, has won the presidential polls.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is yet to release the official results, claiming to be collating them in the presence of the presidential candidates' chief polling agents in the capital Harare.

But the MDC has become impatient with the commission's slowness, which was why the party went ahead to release its own results.

The party's Secretary General, Tendai Biti, told a news conference that Mr Tsvangirai had polled 50.3% against President Robert Mugabe's 43.8%. He said Simba Makoni, an independent candidate, has secured 7% of the votes.

If these figures are accurate, then there will not be a run-off.

But Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party rubbished the MDC claim, describing it as a mere "wishful thinking."

Mr Biti blamed ZEC for its failure to declare presidential results, thus creating room for rumours. He however said the MDC is prepared for a run-off if the commission fails to declare an outright winner.

Mr Tsvangirai said his party would not enter into any deal with Zanu-PF party before the official results have been declared.

Meanwhile, Zanu-PF has lost its parliamentary majority, latest figures from the electoral commission confirms.

With only a handful of results still unannounced, Zanu-PF polls 93 seats, the MDC 105 while the MDC faction retains 5. But Mr Mugabe's former Information Minister, Jonathan Moyo, has retained his seat.

Zimbabweans from all strata of life, including all institutions of state, have been asked to respect the outcome of the election, and to work together with the government of the day to earnestly address the challenges the country faces.

South Africa's governing African National Congress (ANC) said "Zimbabwe has consistently upheld its constitution by regularly holding elections as required, without fail."

In a statement, the ANC wrote "where people have shown dissatisfaction with the conduct of previous elections, they have pursued their concerns within the law and according to the constitution.

"Whatever the results of this election, the will of the people should be respected."

By staff writer

© afrol News

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