Zimbabwe election a 'huge farce': Tsvangirai

Zimbabwe's Prime minister, leader and candidate of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Morgan Tsvangirai (left), flanked by his wife Elizabeth, casts his ballot in a polling station in Harare July 31, 2013, to vote in a general election. Tsvangirai on August 1, 2013 described the election as a "huge farce" and "null and void" just hours after Robert Mugabe's allies claimed victory. AFP 

By AFP
Posted  Thursday, August 1  2013 at  13:25

HARARE

Zimbabwean presidential hopeful Morgan Tsvangirai on Thursday described the election as a "huge farce" and "null and void" just hours after Robert Mugabe's allies claimed victory.

"It's a sham election that does not reflect the will of the people. In our view this election is null and void," Tsvangirai said, pointing to a litany of alleged irregularities in Wednesday's vote.

"This election has been a huge farce."

"The shoddy manner in which it has been conducted and the consequent illegitimacy of the result will plunge this country into a serious crisis."

Mugabe's allies claimed an "emphatic" victory, but local observers have called the vote "seriously compromised".

Election day had passed off without widespread violence, but critics pointed at a flawed electoral roll, among other problems.

Mugabe's critics have accused him of rigging the poll to extend his 33-year-rule.

Unofficial results compiled by civil society groups appear to show that he did surprisingly well in urban areas, where he normally falls flat.

Election organisers are expected to publish official results within five days of the vote.