Robert Mugabe

© FAO

afrol News, 27 June - Zimbabwean voters went to polls today voting in a one-sided presidential run-off after President Robert Mugabe defied condemnation and calls for postponement by international community.

Despite Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai withdrawal from the contest because of violence against his supporters, voting began at 7 am across the country on a slow pace.

Mr Tsvangirai said today's results would be meaningless because they would not reflect the will of Zimbabwean population, saying whatever happens in today's elections will not be recognised by international community.

"I know many of you would be forced to vote today, I also know the tricks they intend to use to scare you to claim an illegitimate victory through the brutal force," he said.

Today's ballot paper which still caries a name of Mr Tsvangirai, MDC supporters fear their identity could be discovered if they vote for their candidate. Voters without indelible ink stains from polling stations on their fingers would be seen as opposition supporters.

Mr Mugabe's officials have allegedly demanded that all voters in polling stations to write down their serial number of their ballot paper so their vote could be checked later.

Mr Tsvangirai urged his supporters to vote for the ruling party while trying to reassure them that the international community would never accept Mr Mugabe's victory.

Though Mr Mugabe expressed will to go into negotiations with opposition, but only after election, he has brushed aside calls for election to be postponed saying Zanu-PF party would continue with elections in order to rule Zimbabwe.

At the Group of Eight meeting in Kyoto, Japan, foreign ministers today condemned decision to go ahead with the election and the violence that has surrounded it.

"We deplore actions of Zimbabwean authorities systematic violence, obstruction and intimidation which have made a free and fair presidential runoff election impossible," they said in a joint statement.

G8 also urged that Zimbabwe's first round of presidential elections must be respected, and that they could not accept legitimacy of a government not reflecting the will of the people.

One of Mr Tsvangirai's most senior aides, Mr Tendai Biti, was freed yesterday on bail of a trillion Zimbabwean dollars. Mr Biti was arrested two weeks ago on treason charges, which carry a potential death penalty.

Mr. Biti's bail was granted as Zimbabwe's neighbors joined Western countries, including the United States, in urging Mr. Mugabe to postpone the runoff.

Since March polls, close to 90 MDC suppoerters were killed and 200 000 fled their homes in fear of torture and intimidation under Mr Mugabe's regime.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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