The head of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, George Chiweshe, announced Sunday that ballots cast in 23 constituencies in the March 29 election would be recounted next Saturday.
This sparked new uncertainty over the unannounced presidential result and fears the ruling Zanu (PF) could overturn its defeat in the parliamentary poll.
The MDC immediately approached the High Court arguing that ZEC’s call for a recount was aimed at giving a new tally to help Zanu (PF) rig the vote.
The judge found it not just illegal but grossly unreasonable to order a recount before the result is out, MDC lawyer Selby Hwacha said. The law is clear about when the recount is done. A candidate requests for a recount within 48 hours after the result has been declared. Delays in releasing results from the presidential election has heightened political tensions in the crisis-torn nation, where the economy has collapsed.
Morgan Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change has insisted it won both the legislative and presidential elections.
MDC secretary general Tendai Biti said: In complicit with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, they (Zanu (PF) have opened those ballot boxes, they have moved those ballot boxes and they know what is inside them.
Those ballot boxes have become pregnant and they have reproduced during the time we have been waiting. There has been biological reproduction in those ballot boxes and we will not accept that progeny because that progeny is illegal and it’s illegitimate, he added.
Post published in: News