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Africa Subsaharan |
Zimbabweans Vote, Desperate for Change |
2008-03-30 |
![]() Mr. Musonza ordinarily considers himself nothing more than a flyspeck within the hinges of power, but Saturday was election day here, the people’s day, his day. The voters, he said, held the power now. Still, Mr. Mugabe is so often accused of stealing the last presidential election that many Zimbabweans scoff at the very notion of a fair vote. In 2002, reported results had challenger Morgan Tsvangirai piling up a big lead. Then, suddenly, the announcements stopped. When they resumed, hours later, Mr. Mugabe was well ahead. Results from Saturday’s presidential race are not expected until Sunday at the earliest. By and large, the vote was peaceful, with the long lines dissipating as the day went on. There were only minor reports of irregularities at the polls. But questions about a fix — will it happen, how will it be done — hung in the air, so much so that Mr. Mugabe, 84, addressed the matter to reporters as he voted at a Harare primary school. “We do not rig elections,” he said dismissively, dressed, as is his custom, in a finely tailored suit and well-buffed shoes. “We have that sense of honesty. I cannot sleep with my conscience if I have cheated in elections.” He added, “Why should I cheat? The people are there supporting us.” |
Posted by:Fred |