afrol News / The Zimbabwean, 23 June - Opposition leader in Zimababwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, could have won Friday's election had he not backed off, according to an opinion poll. Sixty three percent of voters would have voted for Tsvangirai, giving him an undisputed win, reports in Zimbabwe show.

The countrywide poll, carried out in last week by a leading independent researcher whose identity could not be revealed for security reasons, found that 63% of respondents intended to vote for opposition leader, figures which political analysts in Zimbabwe say make a huge sense and are truly reflective of Mr Tsvangirai's support amongst voting population in Zimbabwe, as showed in March election.

However, political analysts are further of the view that parameters of the poll were necessarily circumscribed by prevailing security climate pointing out that low numbers of those refusing to comment or not intending to vote as striking.

According to a report by the Zimbabwean, a total of 2758 individuals were polled, of whom only 104 (0.4%) would not comment or vote. 974 (63%) said they would vote for Tsvangirai, 84-year old Zimbabwean power hungry president, since 1980, Robert Mugabe had a poor showing of only 37%, despite extensive ruling Zanu (PF) patronage system and widespread violence against opposition supporters in recent weeks.

Reports also showed the poll as concluding that votes would have been fairly divided between different provinces, with Tsvangirai having most support in the capital Harare and the least in Mashonaland East. Support for Mugabe, according to the poll, was highest in Mashonaland and lowest on Matebeleland.

Having pulled out of presidential race, opposition leaders in Zimbabwe are amassing crisis calls to regional and international bodies, as well as friends of Zimbabwe to help find a solution that can ensure free and fair elections in the country. Morgan Tsvangirai in his message on Sunday, said he would not want his supporters to seek for a change that might end their lives, saying increasing violence and intimidations, were a clear plot, by president Mugabe to stay in power.

The Zimbabwean president, as well as top-brass police and army chiefs, have been widely quoted as saying a win by opposition in Friday's election would not be accepted. Mr Mugabe was further quoted as saying he was prepared to go to war if he lost.

By staff writers

© afrol News / The Zimbabwean

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