The people of Zimbabwe are going to the polls today to elect their President and members of the Legislative House amid accusing and counter-denying in long anticipated elections.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has accused the ruling Zimbabwean African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) led by incumbent, Robert Mugabe of doctoring the electoral register.
But President Mugabe strongly denied the accusation and in an answer to a question posed to him by the BBC Nomsa Maseko that, what will he do if he is defeated, Mr. Mugabe said he will step down without any ill-feeling.
“If you lose you must surrender to the winner, it is the people sovereignty and nobody can dispute that as we all want a peaceful country, there will be no cheating’’, President Mugabe answered.
Mr. Mugabe also added that he and Mr. Tsvangirai had learnt to work together and could even share a pot of tea in the presence of journalists if Mr. Tsvangirai will accept the offer.
President Mugabe, 89, will come face to face with Prime Minister Tsvangirai, 61, in the presidential ballot which political analysts say it is very difficult to predict the outcome. Some say it is too close to call.
The two long-time rivals have been sharing power since 2009, under a peace accord mediated by regional leaders in the South African Region to end the conflict that marred the elections in 2008.
Voting begins at 07:00 (05:00 GMT) and close at 19:00 (17:00 GMT), with results expected within five days after the polls.
Local reporters say the situation on the ground if nothing changes, will be a peaceful election and voters turn out could be high in the history of the county’s elections.
President Mugabe at his campaign launch on 6 July predicted 90% victory for his Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front Party (ZAN-PF).
Mr. Mugabe and his Zimbabwean African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) has rule Zimbabwe since 1987 and he is still seeking re-election as president on the 31 July elections.
Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News
[adrotate banner=”33″]
