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Index of results, reports, press stmts and articles on March 31 2005 General Election - post Mar 30
AU
observers call for probe into poll results
The
Daily News Online
April 05, 2005
http://www.daily-news.co.za
HARARE - The
head of the African Union Observer Team, Dr Kwadwo Afari- Gyan,
says the allegations of electoral fraud in the just-ended elections
in Zimbabwe should be investigated immediately.
Speaking when
the AU Observer team made its preliminary observations, Afari-Gyan
said his team was also disturbed by the large number of people who
were assisted to vote or those who were turned away.
"The MDC has
alleged that there are serious discrepencies in the official results
released by the ZEC for several constituencies. It is hoped that
both the ZEC and the ESC will promptly look into the allegations
with a view to assuring Zimbabweans of the authenticity of the results
of the elections, "Afari-Gyan said.
MDC president
Morgan Tsvangirai is on record urging his supporters "to defend
their vote and their rights".
By yesterday
the MDC, which is compiling evidence on the alleged rigging of elections,
had found irregularities in 76 out of 120 constituencies that they
had analysed. In some instances, there are unaccounted for ballots
of more than 15 000.
As part of its
evidence gathering, the MDC has obtained a copy of a video tape
of the announcement of the number of people who had voted and a
copy of election officials announcing the results.
An official
with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, which was running the elections,
said that he needed to consult on the final figures.
The head of
the African Union Observer Team, Dr Kwadwo Afari- Gyan, said the
allegations of rigging should be attended to immediately.
"The MDC has
alleged that there are serious discrepencies in the official results
released by the ZEC for several constituencies. It is hoped that
both the ZEC and the ESC will promptly look into the allegations
with a view to assuring Zimbabweans of the authenticity of the results
of the elections," Afari-Gyan said.
In a related
development, more than 400 Movement for Democratic Change supporters
staged a lunch-time demonstration in Harare on Monday to protest
against the alleged rigging of the 31 March general elections, in
which the ruling party registered a shock two-thirds majority in
Parliament.
The demonstration
came after it emerged that the figures announced by the Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission on the number of people who voted and the total
votes for the candidates did not tally.
The demonstration
lasted about half an hour and caught the police by surprise as they
only caught up with the demonstrators after they dispersed. Although
MDC officials said they were not aware of any arrests, sources said
about 10 youths who were wearing MDC T-shirts were picked up and
detained by law and order officers.
"I am not aware
of any members who were arrested but we will keep you updated,"
the MDC national youth chairman, Nelson Chamisa said.
Speaking on
condition of anonymity, another senior MDC official hinted that
the demonstrations would continue for some time.
"The protests
could continue for some time. If the people feel aggrieved by the
fraud conducted during the elections, they should be free to express
their anger."
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