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                       Vote Counting Underway in Zimbabwe

   by Sebastian Mhofu

   Voting counting is underway in Zimbabwe, where President Robert Mugabe
   and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai locked horns in an election marred
   by allegations of vote-rigging and fraud. In Harare, the election
   commission says the polling will produce a credible result
   Zimbabwe Election Commission chairwoman Rita Makarau told journalists
   that partial results are expected to be announced early Thursday.
   "I believe that the election is free and fair. Maybe the reports that
   will come out will vindicate my view of the election as free and fair,"
   she said.
   President Mugabe and Prime Minister Tsvangirai were the main
   contestants in the Wednesday election, which ended a power sharing
   government the two formed in 2009 after a disputed election. Mr.
   Tsvangirai, whose MDC party accuses the election commission of rigging
   the polls for Mr Mugabe's Zanu PF party, told journalists after casting
   his vote that he was confident of victory.
   "It is a historic day for all of us as Zimbabweans to complete the
   delayed run-off from 2008. You see all the main contenders, finally
   resolving this political crisis, finally. So we wish everyone a time to
   complete the change that we have been fighting for, for the past 14
   years," he said.
   This is Mr Tsvangirai's third attempt to defeat Mr Mugabe, who has
   ruled Zimbabwe since 1980. In the 2008 election, Mr. Tsvangirai
   defeated Mr. Mugabe in the first round, but failed to garner enough
   votes to avoid a run-off. The second round was marred by violence after
   Mr. mugabe claimed victory, and African leaders forced the two to form
   a power sharing government in 2009.
   When asked about allegations that the election commission rigged the
   polls for his Zanu PF party, Mr. Mugabe said "((It's)) politicking,
   they want to find a way out."
   The election commission has until Monday, August 5 to release the
   results of the Zimbabwe's election, which will end the fragile power
   sharing arrangement of Mr. Mugabe and Mr. Tsvangirai.
   ''
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/vote-count-under-way-in-zimbabwe-pres
   idential-poll/1714207.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/vote-count-under-way-in-zimbabwe-presidential-poll/1714207.html