In Limbo

The Russian elections back in March were surrounded by some controversy due to perceived irregularities in the voting results; a similar, if not worse, scenario, has been unfolding in Zimbabwe over the past week.

The Zimbabwean Presidential poll results have still yet to be disclosed, a full nine days after the election was held. Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party have ceded control of the country's parliament to the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change); however, Mugabe seems reluctant to entertain the possibility that his days as Zimbabwe's president may be over.

On the Guardian blog, the opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai today writes: "Adept at stealing elections from the hands of voters, Mugabe is now amassing government troops; blocking court proceedings where we have attempted to seek an order simply for the electoral commission to release the final tally of the March 29 poll; raiding the offices of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC); and casting a pall of suppression and gloom over the country."

Also, the announcement of the Presidential poll results faced a further delay today, after judges postponed until tomorrow their decision on a petition to force their release.

Alan Bock comments: "If (Mugabe) had any dignity or regard for the country he has misruled for so long he would simply concede (perhaps after negotiating a deal to avoid prosecution) and leave in a way that might make people remember some of his better aspects instead of his worst. But it doesn't look as if he will go quietly. Poor Africa. So much promise, so many lousy rulers."

Instead, Mugabe seems keen to hold a wholly unnecessary "run-off" (i.e. another election), attempting to produce a result that he is happy with. Regarding the run-off, Daniel Molokele writes: "The opposition says it would unite behind Tsvangirai, which should, on paper, produce an overwhelming victory based on first round results. But Mugabe's control of state power, security forces and militia could make this much less certain."

The repeated delays, confusion and propaganda created by both parties in the Zimbabwean elections has resulted in a volatile political situation that is set to continue for the foreseeable future - Molokele claims that "there are suggestions Mugabe will use presidential powers to extend the interval before a runoff to 90 days."