afrol News, 14 April - A High Court judge on Monday dismissed an election petition filed by Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change. The petition demanded the immediate release of the 29 March presidential election results.

Justice Uchena said "the matter has been dismissed with costs."

The national electoral commission's failure to publish the presidential results has raised concerns of vote rigging in favour of President Robert Mugabe.

The MDC had earlier claimed that its leader Morgan Tsvangirai won the polls with a slim majority. Mr Tsvangirai has been crisscrossing the Southern African region, seeking support from leaders to bail out Zimbabwe from sinking further into political stalemate.

Southern African leaders held an emergency summit on the Zimbabwean crisis in Zambia, urging the speedy release of the results.

But it is apparent that this could be further delayed by the latest court ruline and the government's order for a recount of votes in 23 constituencies. A reount was accepted in 22 constituencies won by the MDC and one by the ruling Zanu-PF after claims of irregularities.

MDC officials raised alarm that the government was buying time to steal their leader's votes.

However, the government dismissed opposition claims because its actions are "within the law."

The Speaker of South Africa's parliament, Baleka Mbete, said the presidential election was tantamount to a "democracy gone wrong".

"As parliamentarians we cannot remain silent when we witness sufferings and violation of human rights. We can also not remain silent about the situation in Zimbabwe," she said.

South African President Thabo Mbeki ruled out any political crisis in Zimbabwe.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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