ZIMBABWE'S state electoral commission is expected to announce results of presidential elections early this week, ending four tense weeks of waiting.
Few here doubt Robert Mugabe (below), the president, lost the polls for the first time in his political career.
However, Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) may not have made it past the 50-per cent-p
lus-one vote necessary to avoid a run-off.
George Chiweshe, head of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai would be invited today to observe the final stages of counting "leading to the announcement of the results of the presidential elections".
Judge Chiweshe could not say exactly when the results would be announced. But Veritas, a legal watchdog, said the announcement could be made today or tomorrow if there were no major disagreements over final tallies.
Rights groups say Mr Mugabe secured around 43 per cent of the vote in the 29 March poll, with just over 49 per cent for Mr Tsvangirai.
Meanwhile, The United States' top diplomat for Africa said yesterday: "The key is that the people's will be respected," Jendayi Frazer, assistant secretary of state for African affairs.
"If there is going to be an inclusive government, a government of national unity, it should be led by who the people voted for, which is Morgan Tsvangirai."
A partial recount of votes carried out last week showed almost no change in results, despite accusations from Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party that the 84-year-old president had been "cheated" of votes.
By late yesterday, results for 18 of the 23 affected constituencies had been announced. Zanu-PF did not overturn an opposition win in any constituency.
The opposition claims Mr Mugabe has ordered soldiers and militias to attack and chase away voters from rural areas to minimise the chances of a second MDC win.
The MDC claims 15 of its supporters have been killed.
The full article contains 330 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
