afrol News, 2 May - The candidate of Zimbabwe's main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai has emerged on top of the presidential elections, polling 47.9% of the vote against President Robert Mugabe's 43.2%, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has confirmed on Friday.

Former Finance Minister and former key figure of Mr Mugabe's ruling Zanu-PF party, Simba Makoni, ranked third. Makoni, who is widely expected to back Mr Tsvangirai in the election re-run, polled 8.3% of the votes.

The Chief Elections Officer, Lovemore Sekeramayi, told journalists in the capital Harare that a second round re-run be held since none of the candidates polled more than 50% of the results.

"Since no candidate has received the majority of the valid vote cast, a second election shall be held on a date to be advised by the commission," he said.

According to Zimbabwe electoral law, a re-run must be scheduled with 21 days after the announcement of the results.

Ahead of the official announcement, MDC had claimed an outright victory for Mr Tsvangirai. The party officials said based on their own figures they collected from the party's representatives country-wide, Mr Tsvangirai scored a little over 50%. MDC said it would reject any results that contradicts its own figures.

But the party's Secretary General Biti Tendai said MDC will take part in the election re-run provided the process is free, fair and credible. Most people blamed the party for not speaking with one voice, especially on crucial matters.

Mr Tsvangirai's representative at all-party talks hosted under the auspices of ZEC in Harare complained about the commission's refusal to listen to the opposition.

Chris Mbanga said his despite being denied the opportunity to verify the results, the commission went ahead to announce the original results. He said the matter would be taken to "our political leadership."

The opposition cried foul over incessant mistreatment directed at its supporters by the ruling party thugs, resulting to the killing of 15 MDC loyalists.

Mr Mugabe, who has been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980, would find it difficult to rule if he wins the second round of voting, considering the fact the strength of the opposition in parliament.

Determined to dislodge him from power at all costs, the opposition had earlier announced to team up against Mr Mugabe.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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