02 August 2018|19 Dhul Qa’dha 1439
Zimbabwe is on edge awaiting the results of its historic presidential election after troops opened fire on protests against alleged electoral fraud, denting hopes of a new era for the country following the ousting of Robert Mugabe.
The government crackdown in Zimbabwe after Monday’s elections has prompted international calls for restraint.
The United Nations and former colonial power, the UK, have both expressed concern about the violence, in which three people were killed after troops opened fire.
Parliamentary results have given victory to the ruling Zanu-PF party, in the first vote since the ouster of former ruler Robert Mugabe.
But the opposition says Zanu-PF rigged the election.
The result of the presidential election has yet to be declared.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance insists its candidate, Nelson Chamisa, beat incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Home Affairs Minister Obert Mpofu says authorities are keeping a close watch on the situation.
“Zimbabwe’s police and other security institutions will remain on high alert and continue to monitor the security situation in the country.”
Zimbabwe’s electoral commission says it will announce the results of the presidential election at 21:00, after Western election observers urged their immediate release to avoid further tensions.
The commission is urging the public to remain calm and condemns the violence in the capital, Harare, on Wednesday that left three people dead.
Both the opposition and Western election observers have questioned why the presidential results, which were the first counted, are the last to be shared publicly.
Extracts : EWN| News24
