There is an eruption of chaos and violence in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare after announcement of presidential election results was delayed.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) had planned to release some of the results from the President elections on Wednesday morning.
But that was delayed after reports that not all political parties have turned up to sign the declaration forms.
The opposition has always maintained that the delays are deliberate attempt to rig the polls in favour of the ruling Zanu PF.
Zimbabwean police were seen firing tear gas in central Harare to disperse stone-throwing supporters of the opposition MDC party.
Driving back through town. Bricks and barriers blocking roads. Crowds roaming around; helicopter up; heavily armoured vehicles sweeping through the city. pic.twitter.com/4FsRV1wv7d
— Piers Scholfield (@inglesi) August 1, 2018
Soldiers were also reported to have been deployed in Harare amid the hearing of sustained gunfire.
There are also pictures of opposition supporters burning a barricade in Harare and some setting ablaze pictures of President Mnangagwa.
#HarareShutsDown: A Zanu PF bus is set ablaze by Opposition protestors at 4th Street bus terminus as tempers continue to rise in Harare CBD. @cnni @BBCAfrica @harumutasa @ShingieMuringi1 @SirNige pic.twitter.com/pgnGRjlPZK
— 263Chat ?? (@263Chat) August 1, 2018
Nelson Chamisa has tweeted saying “I’m humbled by the support you have given to me as a Presidential Candidate. We have won the popular vote. You voted for total Change in this past election!We have won this one together. No amount of results manipulation will alter your WILL.”
THANK YOU ZIMBABWE …I’m humbled by the support you have given to me as a Presidential Candidate. We have won the popular vote. You voted for total Change in this past election!We have won this one together. No amount of results manipulation will alter your WILL #Godisinit
— Nelson Chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) August 1, 2018
Parliamentary results
Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party has already won most seats in the country’s parliament.
The Zimbabwe parliament has 210 seats and results announced so far show that the Zanu PF has won 110 seats.
The opposition, MDC secured 41 seats so far. That shows that President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s party will be securing a substantial parliamentary majority.
Threat of legal challenge
The MDC and other civil society groups have signaled the intention to prepare a legal challenge to force the results into the open.
And then the army comes into play. Army trucks seen in Msasa heading into the city @Wamagaisa @BitiTendai @nelsonchamisa @DavidColtart pic.twitter.com/IT5tQzaIdg
— Bright Mak (@BrightMakuchete) August 1, 2018
ZEC chief Priscilla Chigumba has said that there was no cheating in the electoral process. She also revealed that the presidential result may not be ready until Saturday.
Voting was relatively calm across Zimbabwe but its the reaction from citizens when results begin to filter in that now matters.
#BREAKING: Civilians were forced to take cover after multiple shots were heard as supporters of Zimbabwe’s main opposition party marched through Harare to protest the country’s election result.
MORE: https://t.co/ykweMevBOK #pmlive pic.twitter.com/DWwF79Y4HU
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) August 1, 2018
The elections have been held for the first time without the involvement of the former President, Robert Mugabe who exited power after a military takeover.
Zimbabwe election rules provide for a run-off if no presidential candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote. A run-off could be held on September 8.
Source: Africafeeds.com
