The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) have maintained that the presidential run-off election set for June 27 is still on, and have since dismissed Morgan Tsvangirai’s withdrawal from the race.
ZEC chairperson Justice George Chiweshe told journalists that it was too late for the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader to pull out of the election.
Chiweshe said the Commission met earlier in the day to deliberate on the issue, following the submission of the withdrawal letter by Tsvangirai on Tuesday.
‘It was unanimously agreed that the withdrawal had inter alia been filed well out of time and for that reason the withdrawal was of no legal effect.
‘Accordingly, the Commission does not recognize the purported withdrawal and is therefore proceeding with the presidential run-off election as planned,’ he said.
Chiweshe said ballot papers had since been printed and dispatched.
Tsvangirai, who is pitted against Zanu PF candidate President Robert Mugabe in the election, withdrew from the election, citing various reasons.
In his arguments for the pullout, the opposition leader said obtaining conditions, among them, political violence and intimidation, made it difficult to hold a free and fair poll.
Following the withdrawal statements, Justice Chiweshe told observers and other stakeholders on Monday that the country would still hold credible elections despite the various incidences of political violence that occurred.
“We do not have a war in the country, generally there is peace,” he said.
“You never have an election (anywhere in the world) that is 100 percent perfect and I believe we can hold a free and fair election.”
He said the Commission was ready for the election as logistics had been put in place.
The Friday run-off election follows failure by both candidates to garner a majority vote in the harmonised elections held on March 29.
Three by-elections are also to be held on the same day.
New Ziana/ZANIS/MK
how do you contest with a non-contender?
ZEC chairperson Justice George Chiweshe, is not so sincere. Not long ago, he was demanding for MDC to issue a formal report for withdrawing from the election, now is changing goal posts that the election re run shall proceed despite the withdraw. What really is zec upto?
Indeed like # 1 wonders, this election shall be a ‘vote for yes or no for no change’.
African leaders..greed? when is enough ever enough? Lord have mercy and I pray that the Lord strike him HARD so that he may acknowledge that the Lord hears the cries of the poor and oppressed. Time is only determinant factor as no individual is lasts forever. he is 84 and he won’t last for long? i hope that he spends his last days behind bars.
Morgan Tsvangirai is a coward and time waster.He has so much local and international support but fails to perform his part to deliver his own people.Mugabe might be cruel but the opposition must be brave enough and not run into hiding each time they are oppressed.I have no doubt Morgan if elected will hand back Zimbabwe to the whites.I dont support whatever Mugabe is doing but I feel Morgan is not fit to succeed him.
So,whon is fit to succeed Bob then?Not yet born?Pha!
The length to which some ancient creatures can endure to exist even when time for their kind is up is shocking. Mugabe is a very old man and this shoes not only by the witherings on his face but also by his ancient deeds. If he thinks that by marrying a woman a quarter his age and siring babies young enough to be his great grand children would make him younger, he should just listen to some of his rantings and political acrobatics to see that he is as ancient as the doodoo.
So according to the BBC, Mandela himself has publicly condemned Mugabe. I am itching to see how Mugabe will react. Will he finally concede defeat at the impending isolation? Or will he come out with something more ludicrous yet again?
I empathise with the Zimbabwean people but I have to say, with whole drama is more interesting than Euro 2008.
Have you zambians forgotten how you used to vote for Kenneth Kaunda in his one party participatory democracy without a contender?
#8, you remind me of those dark days. Thats what Zim is going thru, exactly, politics of intimidation and barbarism. Mugabe is using the UNIP Blue Print as he is just following what his friend KK used to do. Cant you similarities here? God is the one who will humble Bob and at a great cost too.
We haven’t forgotten but at least we stood up to the old man. Zimbos have no spine.
May God Deal with U Mugabe and yo group
The Zimbabwe constitution is clear on when one candidate withdraws from a second round of elections. I am amazed that the whole world cannot read this document! We have become so illiterate with hate against a fellow who wants social justice in Zimbabwe when faced by the MDC, a copy cat of the MMD with its ugly intentions of handing over resources to foreigners!
…..those days of intimidations by the KK government and riots in Ndola which made me and colleagues travel from INDENI to Itawa by foot because people were stoning passing cars…..I definitely can not forget those days!!!
The elections in Zimbabwe today could be likened to elections where someone contests with a frog as an oponent. Remember the 80s and 90s
#9.u cant compare KK and Bob by far.the political situation Zambia went thru,under the leadership of KK is different.Was Chiluba arrested just b4 elections?Was there violence,none existance of opposition political adverts on state run media.Bob has a bad ‘deamon’ in his thinking of the present world.he is misunderstanding the world.
There is a ‘tragic failure of leadership’ in Zimbababwe. so ka mugabe kuya bebele
Kaunda gave up his position 3 years before a scheduled election, how more honourable can a man be? Mugabe is nothing near KK, KK is an honourable man, at 83 he queitly enjoying his life. I am not sure what Thabo is thinking, his former president has condemned the election, his own party has condemned the election what is he thinking?
Zimbabwens need to remember these *****s and deal with them when the change comes!!!!!
Kaunda, honorable? Spare me
“The metamorphosis of a war liberation hero into a demon.” I am currently working on this paper. KK may have had his flaws, but in relative terms, he is a far better person than Mugabe. The highest inflation rate we ever had [about 200%] was under Chiluba; the elections were supposed to be held in 1993, he cut down his term and called for early elections; Zimbos should show unity of purpose to oust Mugabe; when Zambia & Malawi were given independence in 1964, the Ndebeles and Shonas were squabbling amongst themselves, so Ian Smith declared himself leader. Maybe Zambia again needs to help out again and boot out another tyrant. When will it ever end? tribal wars…Ian Smith…Mugabe…Damn!
If i had a chance, i would feed my dogs with Mugabe’s flesh.
Super Ken Vs Mugabe. Mugabe is a criminal who only changes gears to suite himself.
Super Ken is a man of peace and is a remorseful person and have a Kind heart. He made mistakes but he made more right decision. The benefits are clear now. We have built a nation proud of itself… Mugabe inhereited a country which had all infrasture built with our copper money. learn to shut up and remove your own rubbles than start comparing Bob to super Ken.. Compare Kafupi to BOB ..maybe, even then I woudl chose coward Chiluba
Definitely KK’s regime then can not be compared to Mugabe’s now because of one thing ,unlike Bob, KK didn’t have a criminal record which would have threatened his security once out of power.
The UN should just interevene in this matter before more innocent lives are lost because of Mugabe’s selfish needs, that man should be hanged like Sadam Huessen and let him die a painful death to pay for his sins. Justice Chiweshe should not claim there is peace in zim when they are busy attacking MDC supporters, Morgan did a good thing to step down because he cares for people’s well being am sure the elections have already been rigged so there is no point in going ahead with the run off.
It is a good thing to help out your neighbour but if your neighbour seem not to care about his/her problems, why bother? Zambia has wasted a lot of resources in bailing out these ungrateful neighbours and i think its about time we left them to fate to determine their destine. How much suffering to the fellers in Zim need to endure before they can rise up? Let inflation and depreciation eat them up! I am tire of waiting to see these rising up now i have given them up to fate!!! Whatever they go through ni zabo!
There is no oil in Zim’s…so dont hold your breath on the UN doing anything!!!!
….you are very right #26 Chibale nor is there Gold or Diamonds. Otherwise they would have invaded the bloody place a long time ago
Tsvangirai’s letter to the Electoral commision of the Republic of Zimbabwe:
h t t p : / / w w w . s o w e t a n . co . za / N e w s / A r t i c l e . a s p x ? i d = 7 9 0 6 8 9
NOTE: Just compress the address above to read it.
May the good LORD GOD bles the Zimbabwean people in this trying times and forever. We are with you Zimbos no matter what is happening. Some day things will be fine, just keep doing what you can to make things better.
MR MUGABE FINSHI MWAIBA IFYO MULETINA ATI FIKASOKOLOKA. PLZ U ARE JUST OVERAGE YOU ARE A BIG CIMATURE OF ALL THE PRSIDENTS LEAVE THAT CHAIR FOR THE MDC
# 4 dont even blame Morgan Tsvangirai for his stance, actually it is a wise move. Morgan has avoided what happened to kenya, if he contested and who ever was declared a loser would have waged war against the other.
ZANU-PF is busy killing anyone who is not for them, Morgan is a noble man, he does not want the grass to suffer. bravo tsvangirai, if the last elections took more than a month to be released what more a re-run?
has kaunda said anything concerning this issue?
KK’s comments would be very interesting to listen to. He is expected to be objective save for his business interests in Zim.
Yes “Nameless” Kaunda is an honourable man, now that the name for Tsvangirai is on the ballot paper what will happen if he wins?
Send in the Army.
This is the time for the USA to invade a country with a worthy cause.
Instead of invading Iraq under the guise of weapons of mass destruction.
They can invade Zimbabwe because Uncle Bob is violating human rights. Send in the Army.
Why are you people worried about Zimbos when we saw on BBC how those militants were torturing people? One can not believe there is even a government in Zim.
I mean Zimbabweans should stand up for themselves. It is as if there is a better Zimbabwe ZanuPF and another for the MDC.
A country whose currency has an expiry date? I remember the days when Zimbos were laughing at us crossing the border to go and buy butter, sugar, bread any one?
Ati currency with an expiry date ha ha ha, but zoona ayi, these chaps are jokers eh, it has been too much, Zambia at 27 was far much better. Now he is saying SADC might be divided, and Kaunda is now suggesting talking to the Zimbabwe leaders. Mugabe on his part is saying (even before the elections are closed) “I will be in Cairo, and I want the AU to point a finger at me and say my election was questionable” this just stinks even if someone wanted to give Zimbabwe election a benefit of doubt, who told hime he was going to win? How did he prophesy? Africa he even further says “we know of african countries who have had worse elections than us” who compete to be at the bottom?!
“Several voters said this week that they were told that serial numbers on ballots would enable the ruling party to identify those who voted for the opposition so they could be killed”.
Mugabe is surely worse than Idi Amin.The guy was at one time a HERO but now he is a sure ZERO.
Who is behide of the fall of Zim economy?As i know Mugabe has a degree in economics and there are a lot of educated Zimbabwens,but things have goon bad.Why?
Look at the big picture.The world has changed after 911.Because of 911 Saddam Hussein was executed for having WMD which was a lie.
One has to look at who is sponsoring the opposition in zim and make a good judgement.We watch BBC,SKY,CNN and FOXnews,but the real question is who owns these corporate media?Are they not the ones who told us that Saddam Hussein Has WMD and his linked to AL-QAEDA?If they lied then are they not lying again?
There has been a lot of lies after the 911 and a lot of cover up.To me Mugabe is the victim of lies
London what an ***** you are! It is simple minds like you that make the west think they can divid and rule up to now. It works and it will keep working for as long as there are people like you.
Look, the ***** has managed to turn a beutiful contry into one of the worst. Africa does not need the west to survive but we need them to develop. How ludicrous it is that this ***** has even got people he calls ministers. If you get to the bottom of it you will find the so called ministers have sent their families to the UK and the States. Their children are at academies and stuff like that.
Grow up muppet!
Crazy_Zambian (34),
You are pathetic and clearly without foresight faceless Chabibi who fail to have a place in society even when you carry the blood of millions you sale to in the petro Dollar or Gold/uranium Dollar.You don’t even have a clue of how the international system works. Who told you the US has the unalienable Global aggressional right around the Globe? You don’t even understand the “Charter of limitation”.Who told you illegal military aggresion are a panacea to the anarchical world? Is Iraq any better with blood of her 3 million people on your head? Has the USA become any stronger today with more than her 4200 plus selfless officers 6 feets down the hills?
Have you ever taken stock of the physical toll on the more than 30K combant personnel being withdrawn from the unjust war you sold out on similar lying terms? Talk of the thousands in mental rehabs mentally despaired and socially broken among Americans. So you think an off the continent aggression would make Zimbabwe and Southern Africa any secure and stable? Trust me you are pathetic and a source of both shame on Africa’s predestination and Hichilema’s obscure political future due to your narrow minded sycophancy.GNU through political settlement is the answer.If you think the patriotic and military establishment their will subscribe to induced conspiracy fear, you must be a dreamer.
There is no Zambian leader living or dead that can be compared with Mugabe.He is simply the worst kind of one sided individual that has ever lived.How can he abuse his own power and his own people like that.Its just disgusting
Pramatist am putting challenge on you.Can you please tell me what you know about the following organisation and what are their obejective?COUCIL ON FOREIGN RALETION,BILDERBEG and the TRILATERAL COMMISSION.
Only then we can take the Zimbabwe issue on the high level.
Take it or leave it Mugabe has out lived his usefulness.There are also many people that can rule Zimbabwe other than Mugabe as there are economists.There is a solutiopn to all that is going on in Zimbabwe and part of the solution is Mugabe to go.The issue of who is sponsoring who comes later.It is not always bad to be sponsored as long as one knows what is best for his nation
Sorry PRAMATIST the challenge is for NAPUSWA.
Gibby if Mugabe has out lived his usefulness.What about the Queen of England?As you know we had our own Kings in Southern Africa.What happened to them?Was the inflation high?Or the unemployment level hit the highest level so we had to remove them?Come on.
As long as the west controls the IMF,WORLD BANK and the GROUP OF 8(G8)our economies are in their hands and they can do what ever they want.No one interfere in their elections,in fact as a party (uk) it is illegal to receive funds from foreingners.Lets talk
i dont despute what you are saying but my point is West or no west Zimbabwe is deteriorating to insurmountable proportions and the masses are suffering while Mugabe and his family are enjoying themselves.I am not saying Shangirai should be leader but if Mugabe was serious he would have groomed someone from Zanu-pf and all these problems may have been averted.
As for the queen- she is not the leader of England.If anything she is there as a symbolic figure.She never decides anything but approves what parliament proposes.Mugabe should simply step aside and let another take up the post.All other leaders even in Africa are finding it hard to work with Mugabe.He is a liability to the nation
Sorry this is Gibby
Off topic people.
Please help. What has happened to live radio streams on Coppernet? What has one got to do listen live now?
#38, The issue is no longer about who is to blame for the fall of Zimbabwe’s economy, its about all the violence that is going on. i suppose you are going to say the west the one one beating up and killing innocent citizens. actually, it would be better to be ruled by a foreigner than to have a fellow countryman who is bent on killing anyone opposed to his GREEDY ways. Niks
Those who put nicknames are all cowards and therefore whatever you have writen against Mugabe dose not carry water at all. You are people who are not profitable in the society. You duty is to ignite fire and run away later. If you cannot indicate your full names, do not comment anything since your comment will hold no water at all. Mugabe is a good president. Mugabe I urge you not to allow MDC president to penetrate, he will bring the white to Zimbambwe. Select someone who can have your principles to be president. I admire your principles every day and night. Even Jesus suffered why can’t you? Espect good things and bad things from God so why not on earth? Leave Mugabe alone.
No. 51 Are you out of your mind? How much blood do you want to see before your highly held “Bob” lets go of the mantle? Believe me, there are other much younger and able zimbabweans that can led zimbabwe. His tim is over. Zimbabwe needs a fresh air to flow through it. The air in Zimbabwe is stiffled in Zimbabwe.
Where is the African Union and what is the AU up to and why do it’s member states seem to fear the tyrant SOB of Zimbabwe? For me the AU is nothing more than a coffee club, champagne club and the like. The AU is merely a bulldog that cannot bite. Perhaps the AU needs a single president like Mwanawasa who has not minced words over the crisis in Zimbabwe. If the AU had more leaders like LPM the situation would not have degenerated to the extent it has. What all the countries in the region need to do is impose not flyover sanction and no consorting with Bob and all his cronies. It’s so frustrating to have AU leadership that is so scared of the Zimbabwean Hitler.
#51, you are a little naive how the internet works. Let me educate you a little bit. What you should know is that whether someone signs up with initials or not, they can still be traced by internet protocaol address (IP) which every computer with internet is assigned. For instance in the first world, when you subscribe to an internet service, your service provider requires that you provide all your personal and residential information which is then linked to the IP. A person may blog using initials or a pseudonym and still be found out if authorities so wanted. The only way to cover your tracks is to sign up using several proxies to get on the web.
Excuse my typographical error at #54 where I typed “protocaol” intead of “protocol”.