Election result ruling expected in 'razor edge' Zimbabwe
Tuesday, 08 Apr 2008 12:09
Morgan Tsvangirai is seeking publication of the election results
In Focus
A look back at Zimbabwe's failed election. Full Story
A ruling on whether
Zimbabwe's high court will force the result of the country's presidential election results immediately has been delayed until Tuesday.
Zimbabwe's high court had been expected to rule on an appeal calling for the immediate release of the results by opposition lawyers yesterday, but the judgment was postponed by a judge until today.
The election, which took place on March 29th, saw Zimbabwe's ruling party Zanu-PF lose control of parliament to the MDC.
But these results are being challenged by Zanu-PF, while results in the crucial presidential vote remain unpublished.
Yesterday Justice Tendai Uchena ruled against the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's claim he did not have jurisdiction over the case, setting the time of the hearing for later today.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) opposition party has accused Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe of preparing for a war against his own people in a bid to maintain control.
Although election results are posted outside the polling booths all over the country, the electoral commission has yet to publish the results of the crucial presidential election.
From an unofficial count the MDC has already announced its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, as the winner, although observers believe there may be a run-off election.
Mr Tsvangirai believes his country stands on a "razor's edge".
"We can guarantee that Zanu-PF and Mugabe have met their demise in the face of Zimbabwean democracy," he wrote in the Guardian newspaper.
"As official results will confirm when at last released, a mooted presidential run-off… is a sham."
It has been alleged Mr Mugabe will attempt to 'massage' results so Mr Tsvangirai fails to win the outright majority required to avoid a second-round vote.
Mr Mugabe is currently concentrating on persuading Zimbabweans to support his land reforms, widely attributed as having caused the ongoing economic crisis now faced by Zimbabwe.
Over the weekend news agencies have reported that three white cattle ranchers were forced off their land on Saturday.
A fourth was holding out with about 50 militants loyal to Mr Mugabe threatening to break down his farm gates, according to local reports.
"Land must remain in our hands. The land is ours, it must not be allowed to slip back into the hands of whites," Mr Mugabe said.