Zimbabwe elections results LIVE: Presidential result DELAYED by 24 HRS as violence erupts
CITIZENS of Zimbabwe are anxiously waiting for the result of the presidential election, which is expected to be announced today, as violence erupts on the streets of the country's capital amid accusations of vote rigging.
Zimbabwe election: Shots fired from Zanu PF headquarters
- Ruling ZANU-PF party wins majority in parliamentary contest
- Opposition accuses ruling party of rigging presidential vote
- Army deployed to capital Harare to quell protests - at least three people killed on the streets
- Outcome of presidential poll delayed - officials say results will not be released until Thursday morning at earliest
Results from the parliamentary contest put Emmerson Mnangagwa's party well ahead in the landmark election in Zimbabwe.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) reported Mr Mnangagwa's ZANU-PF party has won a majority in parliament, announcing he picked up 144 seats compared to 61 secured by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Mr Mnangagwa swept up votes in rural constituencies by huge margins while Mr Chamisa won most urban centres.
Opposition leader Mr Chamisa has declared he won the "popular vote" and accused electoral commission officials of preparing the country to accept “fake presidential results”.
Gunfire erupted on the streets of the capital Harare as angry opposition supporters accused the ruling party of vote rigging.
At least three people have been killed in violent clashes. One man was been shot dead in the city centre after Zimbabwe army troops were deployed to disperse the demonstrations.
Electoral officials had said they would begin announcing results from the presidential race at 11.30am BST today (12.30pm local time) but this has been pushed back by at least 24 hours.
European Union observers have warned the delays have raised questions over the credibility of the vote.
if neither candidate is able to secure more than 50 percent of the vote then there will a run-off election on September 8.
Follow Express.co.uk's live blog for the latest updates and news on the Zimbabwe election:
7pm: Opposition condemns army response to protests
A spokesman for the Movement for Democratic Change opposition party said the Zimbabwe army’s response to demonstrations in the capital Harare was disproportionate and unjustified.
6.30pm: Police say three people killed in Harare violence
Police have confirmed three people in the capital have been killed so far in Zimbabwe’s capital.
At least one person was shot dead after Zimbabwe army troops were deployed to quell protests by opposition supporters.
It is not yet clear how the other two died.
5.30pm: Police ‘requested army support’
Police in Harare were unable to cope with protests in the capital and were forced to call in support from troops, a police spokeswoman said.
5.25pm: UN leader urges calm as country waits for results
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has pleaded with Zimbabwe’s political leaders and citizens “to exercise restraint and reject any form of violence”.
A UN spokesman said: ”We are concerned about the reports that there have been incidences of violence in parts of Zimbabwe.
“We'd like to remind the incumbents and the political parties of the commitments they made, the peace pledge and the code of conduct to ensure a peaceful electoral process."
4.25pm: Justice minister defends use of troops
Zimbabwe's Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has appeared on eNCA television and insisted the army was deployed to restore “peace and tranquility”.
He said: “The presence of the army is not to intimidate people but to ensure that law and order is maintained. They are there to assist the police.
"They are there as a people's army to ensure that peace and security prevails."
3.30pm: One person shot dead in Harare
Zimbabwean soldiers have shot a person dead on the streets of Harare.
Automatic gunfire has been heard all afternoon as troops attempt to disperse protestors.
Harvey Gavin taking over live reporting from Alahna Kindred.
2:52pm update: Army is seen on the streets
The Zimbabwe army has been seen trying to dispell protesters.
Shots continued to be reported as crowds scatter.
2:37pm update: Protests have become violent
Armored vehicles have appeared on the streets in Harare.
Zimbabwean soldiers appeared on streets of Harare on Wednesday, jumping out of several armoured vehicles to disperse opposition supporters after they clashed with police, footage broadcast by eNCA television showed.
Automatic gunfire has also been heard and an army helicopter has been spotted in the skies.
Images show protesters carrying sticks and rocks and starting fires.
2:21pm update: Injuries reported
@AldrinSampear, a journalist for South African news agency eNCA has said there are injuries from the protests in Harare.
He tweeted: "#InZimHarare a couple people have been injured from the rubber bullet shots. Teargas also fired into the protesting crowds."
2:18pm update: Mnangagwa calls for peace
The ZANU-PF leader tweeted: "At this crucial time, I call on everyone to desist from provocative declarations and statements. We must all demonstrate patience and maturity, and act in a way that puts our people and their safety first. Now is the time for responsibility and above all, peace."
2:15pm update: Shots fired in Harare
Shots have been fired near protests against the election results in Harare.
2:07pm update: Protests escalate in Harare
Police fire tear gas to disperse stone-throwing opposition supporters.
It is also reported they have fired water cannons.
Supporters of Chamisa's MDC party have blocked streets and burned tyres.
1:53pm update: Official announced is delayed until Thursday
The ZEC said it now expected to start announcing presidential election results from Thursday because there were allegations of disputes around tallies that were posted outside polling stations.
The main opposition and ZESN, the main domestic election monitor, had on Tuesday said one in five polling stations - more than 2,000 in all - had not physically posted tallies on their doors, as required by law.
ZEC Chairwoman Priscilla Chigumba said: "It depends with whether those who disagree with something would like to use legal remedies but sometime tomorrow we should be able to advise you what time we can, if any, start announcing the presidential election results."
1:44pm update: Chamisa declares victory
The MDC leader tweeted: "THANK YOU ZIMBABWE ...I’m humbled by the support you have given to me as a Presidential Candidate. We have won the popular vote. You voted for total Change in this past election!
"We have won this one together. No amount of results manipulation will alter your WILL."
The ZEC has not announced the official results.
Zimbabwe election: Protestors riot in the streets of Harare
Zimbabwe election: MDC supporters protest in Harare
1:31pm update: ZEC still verifying results
The chairwoman of the ZEC has said the announcement of the presidential election result depends on how fast parties can verify results posted outside of polling stations.
1:25pm update: MDC supporters demand results
Live images from Harare show MDC supporters taking to the streets with noise-makers, flags and banners.
So far there have been no reports of violence despite vandalism and fires being started in the streets.
MDC supporters have ripped down a Mnangagwa billboard.
Protesters have been reported to chanting: "No way that ZANU-PF can return to govern Zimbabwe" and "We are going to defend our victory"
1:15pm update: Unrest in Harare
Reports of frustration from citizens in Harare as results have not been announced.
Mr Chamisa's biggest support base is the capital.
Mr Mnangagwa's support has come from the rural areas.
1:04pm update: Street fires have started
Protests are evolving as fires appear to have been deliberately started in Harare.
Citizens of the capital are growing for anxious and are complaining about the results being delayed.
12:50 pm update: ZANU-PF wins two-thirds majority in Parliament
The ruling party has secured two-thirds majority in parliament.
This allows ZANU-PF to change the constitution.
ZANU-PF was Mr Mugabe's former party.
12:54pm update: Crowds appear to get bigger in Harare
The capital's streets are "clogged" wiht protesters demanding the results.
@maxbearak from Washington Post tweeted: "Thousands of opposition supporters clogged downtown #Harare today, demanding greater transparency in an election they believe, like those in Zimbabwe’s past, is being stolen from them."
12:47pm update: Results appeared delayed again
The long-awaited announcement appears to have been delayed again.
Neither candidate have made a statement and the ZEC have given no explanation.
The ZEC is still annonucing additional results for different constituencies.
12:33pm update: EU observers questions result delay
The vote assessment by the EU, which is observing the results for the first time since 2002, is critical in determining whether can shed its pariah status and return into the international fold, which could help trigger an economic revival.
12:26pm update: Police say they have crowds under control
The crowd of 100 Zimbabwean MDC supporters are gathered outside a Harare hotel waiting for the announcement of the election results.
Supporters are chanting: "This is a miliary government."
12:22pm update: Election has appeared 'one-sided'
The EU chief observer has said that the ZEC appeared to be "one-sided" at some stages.
They add that they don't know yet if the shortcomings will have a material impact on the final result
12:17pm update: EU observer doesn't understand why results are taking so long
The EU observer has added that the ZEC must be transparent in releasing full results with a complete breakdown.
It adds that the longer it takes for the ZEC to release the results the more credibility is lost.
12:10pm update: EU observer mission says election was largely peaceful, but still marred with problems
The EU observer mission says the Zimbabwe election was largely peaceful but the use of state resources, coercion and bias by traditional leaders saw an uneven playing field.
However, this election was a clear and obviously improvement compared to past elections.
It adds that the election has several problems including media bias, voter intimidation and mistrust in electoral commission.
12:05pm update: Election has been "peaceful and orderly"
Observers from the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) block said Zimbabwe's presidential and parliamentary vote was peaceful and orderly and opened the door to strengthen the country's democracy.
It added that the election was very much inline with current election laws.
12:00pm update: Final result annonucement could be slow
A commissioner at ZEC Qubani Moyo said the results will be given for each of the country's 210 constituencies.
This could mean it would be a slow process to the final result.
11:49am update: MDC supporters surround Harrare Hotel
A crowd of around 100 Zimbabwe opposition supporters have gathered outside the hotel where the election results are expected to be announced.
Witnesses say there are armed riot police and water cannons blocking the entrance to the hotel.
MDC supporters can be heard shouting: "You can't rig our election."