Zimbabwe election: MDC Alliance and troops in Harare clashes

Supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change party (MDC) burn an election banner with the face of Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare, August 1, 2018 Image copyright Reuters Image caption MDC Alliance supporters burned election posters of Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Troops have opened fireplace in Zimbabwe’s capital Harare after competition supporters went on the rampage.

At least one man has reportedly been shot dead.

The competition MDC Alliance alleges that the ruling Zanu-PF party has rigged Monday’s presidential and parliamentary vote.

Parliamentary results display Zanu-PF heading for a large majority, even as the presidential outcome has but to be declared.

European Union ballot monitors have expressed concern over the length of time it’s taking to claim the presidential end result.

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Troops had been deployed to help police transparent the streets

Chaotic scene

By Pumza Fihlani, BBC News, Harare

Protests by way of MDC Alliance supporters within the town centre took an unsightly turn via the afternoon.

The crowds were there for the reason that morning but if information got here that Zanu-PF had won the majority of seats in parliament and that the presidential results weren’t ready, the temper became.

They went on the rampage down Harare’s busy streets against an antique Zanu-PF place of work with huge stones, sticks and anything else they may clutch alongside the way in which.

The crowds chanted: “we want Chamisa.” they suspect the election has been stolen, and are difficult the MDC be announced as winner.

Riot police the use of water cannon and tear gasoline arrived to a chaotic scene of burning tyres and an unrelenting crowd. Masses jeered and pelted the police vehicles with stones.

This staff has misplaced all religion within the electoral machine and says they will now not stop till their man is within the top activity – apart from that isn’t fairly how elections work.

What effects were declared?

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) has announced 122 seats for Zanu-PF so far, and FIFTY THREE for MDC Alliance, ZBC state media said. There are 210 seats in the Nationwide Assembly’s lower house.

More than 5 million other people were registered to vote, and there has been a prime turnout of 70%.

State broadcaster ZBC had mentioned that the electoral commission would announce the presidential effects at 12:30 native time (10:30 GMT), but handiest parliamentary effects were learn out.

The BBC’s Shingai Nyoka studies that the assertion on the presidential poll was once no longer made as a result of representatives of a few of the 23 candidates had didn’t turn up to verify the results.

A presidential candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to win outright. Otherwise, a run-off election shall be held on EIGHT September.

What are election observers saying?

the ecu venture has criticised the prolong in announcing the presidential effects. Zec has till Saturday to achieve this.

Symbol caption The electoral commission says 70% of registered electorate took part in the election

It mentioned it had seen several issues, including media bias, voter intimidation and mistrust in the electoral fee, adding that there has been an “improved political local weather, however un-level playing box and shortage of believe”.

That Is the primary time in SIXTEEN years that the federal government has allowed EUROPEAN and US election displays into the country.

The African Union venture has mentioned the elections “took place in a very peaceful atmosphere” and “were extremely competitive”.

It added that it might no longer confirm opposition parties’ complaints of vote-shopping for, intimidation via the state and bias through traditional leaders.

A preliminary document by way of the Southern African Building Group (Sadc) observers said the elections have been in large part peaceful and carried out in accordance with the law.

What are the events announcing?

Zimbabwe’s primary competition has stated Mr Chamisa won the presidential election, sparking side road celebrations by means of supporters on Tuesday.

The MDC Alliance said the ruling Zanu-PF birthday party was trying to rig the vote to allow President Mnangagwa to win, and the delay in releasing reliable results used to be unacceptable.

Image caption Competition supporters celebrated in Harare on Tuesday, believing Mr Chamisa had received

MDC Alliance’s Tendai Biti said there has been a transparent attempt by Zanu-PF to interfere “with the people’s will”.

However, Douglas Mwonzora, a best MDC Alliance reliable, instructed the BBC’s Andrew Harding that the endorsement on Sunday in their candidate by way of Mr Mugabe had value the birthday party votes. He additionally alleged that the ruling party had bribed citizens in rural areas.

A Zanu-PF spokesman disregarded the competition’s allegations of interference, telling the BBC he had “no clue” what Mr Biti was once speaking about.

More on post-Mugabe Zimbabwe

Hustling for money to outlive Is it more uncomplicated to poke fun after Mugabe? ‘Magic owls’, ghost voters and Zimbabwe’s election the story at the back of the headband

Meet the frontrunners:

Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zanu-PF

Image copyright AFP Known As “the crocodile” as a result of his political shrewdness – his birthday party faction is known as “Lacoste” Accused of masterminding assaults on competition supporters after the 2008 election Thought to be SEVENTY FIVE years antique, he promises to deliver jobs and is noticed as open to financial reforms Survived a number of alleged assassination makes an attempt, blamed on supporters of ex-President Mugabe.

Read extra: The ‘crocodile’ who snapped back

Nelson Chamisa, MDC Alliance

Symbol copyright Reuters His cranium was fractured while beaten up by state safety dealers in 2007 Turned Into an MP at 25, a cupboard minister at 31 and could develop into the youngest president at FORTY A recently qualified pastor, he has been using the hashtag #GodIsInIt for his campaign Has promised to rebuild the country’s devastated economic system, but has been criticised for making extravagant promises – such because the introduction of a top-velocity bullet educate and bringing the Olympics to Zimbabwe.

Learn extra: The crusader taking on Zimbabwe’s ‘crocodile’

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