Mugabe could win 75% of votes, says party

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addresses a media conference at State House in Harare. File photo: Philimon Bulawayo, Reuters

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addresses a media conference at State House in Harare. File photo: Philimon Bulawayo, Reuters

Published Aug 2, 2013

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Harare - President Robert Mugabe is likely to win up to 75 percent of Zimbabwe's presidential vote over his rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, his Zanu-PF party said on Friday.

“It's the prediction that the president might likely get 70 to 75 percent,” Zanu-PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo told AFP, saying early results showed a strong lead for the 89-year-old veteran.

Official results from Wednesday's presidential election have not yet been released, but Gumbo said tallies posted at some polling stations had showed a landslide for Mugabe.

“It's the feel. From what I see what is happening on the ground,” he said.

With about a third of the National Assembly results released, Gumbo was also confident the party would achieve a two-thirds majority in the 210-seat house.

“We can't get less than 130, 140 seats. I'm sure will get there. I think we are going to get about two-thirds majority.”

The first official results showed Mugabe's party storming ahead, winning 52 of the 62 seats announced.

Tsvangirai, who is making his third bid to end 89-year-old Mugabe's 33-year rule, has slammed the vote as a “huge farce”. - Sapa-AFP

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