Zimbabwe's defeated presidential candidate Morgan Tsvangirai on Monday prepared to mount a legal and political challenge against the "sham" election that looks set to extend Robert Mugabe's 33-year rule.
Tsvangirai's allies have announced they will launch a constitutional court challenge against the results of Wednesday's election, which handed Mugabe a thumping 61 percent of the vote.
"Our lawyers are very busy at work. We will be lodging the presidential challenge before Friday," Douglas Mwonzora, spokesman for Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), told AFP.
The case could delay 89-year-old Mugabe's inauguration for another five-year term.
Once the complaint is lodged, the country's top court has 14 days to reach a decision.
Western nations, including former colonial ruler Britain, voiced serious doubts about the election while the regional SADC bloc said it was "free and peaceful" but stopped short of describing it as fair.
But MDC insiders acknowledge that finding a smoking gun for electoral fraud and navigating the notoriously polarised court system with be a fiendishly difficult.
The ruling ZANU-PF has welcomed the prospect of a court challenge over the vote -- the first since bloody 2008 elections led to the formation of an uneasy power-sharing pact between Mugabe and Tsvangirai.
"What they are doing is a good thing, it's a wise road to take," ZANU-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo said, expressing confidence the challenge will fail.
Constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku said that given the 61-34 percent vote split against Tsvangirai, his chances "are non-existent, completely non-existent".
"It's not a margin that normally gets challenged in court."
It is the third time that Tsvangirai, a 61-year-old former union leader, has tried and failed to unseat Mugabe.
Mwonzora said the MDC is preparing a "dossier of all the rigging that took place and we will put it in the public domain to show the people how the election was stolen."
The MDC has called for post-election an emergency summit of the regional bloc Southern African Development Community (SADC) after the group gave the vote a thumbs-up, but deferred on calling the election "fair".
South African President Jacob Zuma on Sunday extended his "profound congratulations" to Mugabe on his re-election after a "successful" vote while his Namibian counterpart Hifikepunye Pohamba also welcomed the vote.
"The people of Zimbabwe have once again demonstrated their trust and confidence in the Zanu-PF and your party leadership," he wrote in a letter to Mugabe.
The MDC's Mwonzora -- who himself lost his seat -- expressed regret at the verdict of Zimbabwe's neighbours.
"We discovered that the SADC and the African Union equate absence of bloodshed in elections to free and fair elections, which is an incorrect way of looking at things."
The MDC had more support further afield, with the United States and European nations including Britain condemning the election, and Australia even calling for a re-run.
Mugabe and his allies still face a number of Western sanctions.
The Zimbabwe stock exchange plunged 11 percent on Monday, the first day of trading since the results were issued, with foreign-owned stocks registering steep losses.
The MDC also took a hammering in the parliamentary vote, winning just 49 seats out of the 210 up for grabs -- down more than half from its 2008 performance -- against 160 for Mugabe's party.
Analysts say if the MDC is to rebound politically in the face of its defeat, it needs to completely rebuild.
"It needs a comprehensive introspection... just as ZANU-PF did when it was almost on its knees in 2008," said University of Zimbabwe political analyst Eldred Masunungure.
"That may entail leadership review especially at the top," he said.
Mwonzora however dismissed suggestions that it was time Tsvangirai was replaced as party leader.
"We stand solidly behind Morgan Tsvangirai as our president," he said. "The MDC is regrouping, we are gearing for a fresh election whenever it comes.
"If there is anything which has reunited us... (it) is this theft."
Aggrieved MDC parliamentary hopefuls who are alleging fraud are due to have their complaints heard by the electoral court.
These must be heard and settled within six months but will not stop the swearing-in of deputies.
AFP
Mon Aug 05 2013
![Zimbabwe opposition readies Mugabe challenge Zimbabwe opposition readies Mugabe challenge](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-08/61375711790_295x200.jpg)
AWANI Borneo [15/08/2024] – Jaga integrity | Persaingan sihat | SUKMA 2024
Tumpuan Awani Borneo 15 Ogos 2024 bersama Nickyson Nyambar;
1. Hajiji ingatkan pegawai daerah jaga integriti, mudahkan urusan rakyat
2. KPDN pelawa pasar raya besar buka cawangan di Sabah, Labuan
3. SUKMA 2024: Premier bakal umum insentif untuk atlet Sarawak berjaya raih pingat
1. Hajiji ingatkan pegawai daerah jaga integriti, mudahkan urusan rakyat
2. KPDN pelawa pasar raya besar buka cawangan di Sabah, Labuan
3. SUKMA 2024: Premier bakal umum insentif untuk atlet Sarawak berjaya raih pingat
[TERKINI] Belasungkawa: Jenazah Allahyarham Nidza Afham selamat dikebumikan
Ikuti siaran perjalanan terakhir jenazah Allahyarham Nidza Afham di Tanah Perkuburan Islam Felda Bukit Cherakah, Puncak Alam, Selangor.
SUKMA 2024: Kesemua venue bagi 488 acara sedia digunakan
Kerja penaiktarafan tiga lokasi iaitu padang memanah, gelanggang hoki serta trek bmx yang belum siap sepenuhnya tidak menjejaskan pelaksanaan acara sukan berkenaan kerana ia hanya melibatkan fasiliti tandas yang diganti menggunakan tandas mudah alih, selain landskap trek.
KPDN pelawa Lotus’s, pasar raya besar buka cawangan di Sabah, Labuan
Mengambil contoh harga ayam di Lotus’s Malaysia, Armizan berkata rangkaian pasar raya itu konsisten menawarkan harga berpatutan serendah RM6.99 sekilogram berbanding harga ayam yang tinggi di wilayah tersebut.
Hajiji ingatkan pegawai daerah jaga integriti, mudahkan urusan rakyat
Hajiji berkata beliau telah menerima banyak aduan daripada rakyat dan laporan tentang isu integriti serta ketelusan melibatkan Pegawai Daerah dan Penolong Pegawai Daerah, termasuk ada antara mereka melengah-lengahkan urusan yang mempunyai kepentingan untuk rakyat.
STB Sabah mahu kembalikan kegemilangan Sandakan
Lembaga Pelancongan Sabah (STB) mengambil tindakan segera dengan mengadakan sesi libat urus bersama wakil-wakil rakyat dan pemain industri pelancongan Sandakan nagi mengembalikan populariti daerah itu dalam kalangan pelancong.
Astro ketengah elemen 'Heart to Heart' untuk Malaysia
Kempen Inilah KITA yang dilancarkan Astro sejak minggu lalu meraikan semangat kebersamaan serta makna sebagai rakyat Malaysia di bawah cerminan negara yang berbilang kaum dan majmuk sama seperti yang ada di Sabah dan Sarawak. Kata Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Kumpulan Astro Holdings Berhad, Euan Smith, kebersatuan itu diraikan menerusi bakat penceritaan kakitangan Astro yang dinamik dan menyentuh hati.
Bahasa etnik medium hebahan Bulan Kebangsaan di Sabah
Timbalan Pengarah Jabatan Penerangan (JaPen) Sabah Supian Musa berkata inisiatif itu bukan hanya bertujuan menyemarakkan sambutan, tetapi lebih utama mahu memastikan mesej disampaikan dalam bahasa mudah difahami supaya dapat dihayati semua lapisan masyarakat.
SUKMA 2024: Premier umum insentif untuk pemenang pingat Sarawak pada Jumaat
NIlai insentif yang menanti atlet Sarawak yang meraih pingat dalam temasya sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) ke-21 dijangka diumum Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg pada Jumaat.
![Hari Kebangsaan: Kapasiti tempat duduk di Dataran Putrajaya ditambah - Fahmi Hari Kebangsaan: Kapasiti tempat duduk di Dataran Putrajaya ditambah - Fahmi](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/51723720861_TBmerdeka.jpg)
Hari Kebangsaan: Kapasiti tempat duduk di Dataran Putrajaya ditambah - Fahmi
Kapasiti tempat duduk awam bertingkat di Dataran Putrajaya di sini akan ditambah.
![Pilihan raya mengejut: Amanah gesa PH segera persiapkan jentera Pilihan raya mengejut: Amanah gesa PH segera persiapkan jentera](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/71575795252_MohamadSabu.jpg)
Pilihan raya mengejut: Amanah gesa PH segera persiapkan jentera
Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) menggesa semua parti komponen Pakatan Harapan (PH) mempersiapkan jentera pilihan raya dengan kadar segera.
![Rehat sebentar dari politik Malaysia, hiburkan diri dengan Bruno Mars Rehat sebentar dari politik Malaysia, hiburkan diri dengan Bruno Mars](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-05/41525873906_BrunoMars.jpg)
Rehat sebentar dari politik Malaysia, hiburkan diri dengan Bruno Mars
Ketika rakyat Malaysia rancak berbual tentang keputusan PRU14, yang sedang diumumkan pada malam ini, penyanyi Bruno Mars menggegarkan Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
![Menjelang 'Grand Finale', borak luar garisan politik dominasi media sosial Menjelang 'Grand Finale', borak luar garisan politik dominasi media sosial](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-05/61525788046_politicflags.jpg)
Menjelang 'Grand Finale', borak luar garisan politik dominasi media sosial
Pengguna media sosial lebih bebas menyatakan pendapat mengenai PRU14 dan politik dan tidak dibayangi oleh pemimpin-pemimpin atau parti-parti politik.
![Undi luar negara tidak beri kesan kepada kerusi marginal? Undi luar negara tidak beri kesan kepada kerusi marginal?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-05/51525693619_DatukNurJazlan.jpg)
Undi luar negara tidak beri kesan kepada kerusi marginal?
Walaupun calon Parlimen Pulai mengakui undi luar negara tidak memberi kesan kepada keputusan di kerusi itu kelak, ia tetap tidak mengubah kedudukan kerusi itu sebagai salah satu kerusi marginal.
![PRU14: Beban berat buat Fahmi Fadzil untuk teruskan legasi Nurul Izzah PRU14: Beban berat buat Fahmi Fadzil untuk teruskan legasi Nurul Izzah](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-04/41524754599_PKR.jpg)
PRU14: Beban berat buat Fahmi Fadzil untuk teruskan legasi Nurul Izzah
Kerja kuat pencabar daripada BN, Datuk Seri Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin, juga mungkin menyebabkan laluan Fahmi ke Parlimen lebih sukar.
![PRU14: Karpet merah atau onak duri menanti Tun M di Langkawi? PRU14: Karpet merah atau onak duri menanti Tun M di Langkawi?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-04/71523866070_TunM.jpg)
PRU14: Karpet merah atau onak duri menanti Tun M di Langkawi?
Adakah Langkawi bakal beri laluan mudah kepada Tun M?
![Climate change in Malaysia and what it means for us Climate change in Malaysia and what it means for us](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-03/81521630303_ClimateChange.jpg)
Climate change in Malaysia and what it means for us
The worlds climate is changing for the worse, and humans are responsible for that. Lets dive into a touch of science to make sense of this.
![Beri peluang Umno terajui BN P. Pinang - Reezal Merican Beri peluang Umno terajui BN P. Pinang - Reezal Merican](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-04/51367278616_295x200.jpg)
Beri peluang Umno terajui BN P. Pinang - Reezal Merican
Barisan Nasional (BN) Pulau Pinang wajar memberi peluang kepada Umno untuk mengetuai barisan kepimpinan parti itu bagi memulihkan kepercayaan rakyat di negeri ini.
![PR teruskan perhimpunan bantah keputusan PRU-13 PR teruskan perhimpunan bantah keputusan PRU-13](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-05/71368025880_295x200.jpg)
PR teruskan perhimpunan bantah keputusan PRU-13
Pakatan Rakyat (PR) meneruskan perhimpunan pasca pilihan raya umum ke-13 (PRU-13)di Stadium Kelana Jaya malam ini.
![Bantahan terbuka tidak akan ubah keputusan PRU13 - SPR Bantahan terbuka tidak akan ubah keputusan PRU13 - SPR](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-02/81360054544_295x200.jpg)
Bantahan terbuka tidak akan ubah keputusan PRU13 - SPR
Sebarang bantahan terbuka atau perhimpunan tidak mampu mengubah keputusan pilihan raya umum atau mengakibatkan ia diadakan semula, kata Pengerusi Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya.