APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) The ruling ZANU PF party romped to victory in parliamentary elections held on August 23-24, securing 65 percent of the 210 contested seats in a poll marred by allegations of widespread irregularities.
According to final figures announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Saturday night, ZANU PF got 136 of the 210 National Assembly seats while the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) took 73.
Elections were postponed for one constituency following the death of a candidate.
Results for the presidential vote are expected to be announced later on Saturday evening, said a ZEC official who cited “unforeseen delays”.
He said collation and verification of results was “still ongoing” with agents of the 11 presidential candidates.
Observers from the regional Southern African Development Community (SADC) on Friday criticised the conduct of the August23-24 poll, citing irregularities such as voter intimidation, delays of up to 15 hours in delivery of ballot papers, and disruptions of CCC campaign rallies.
The hard-hitting preliminary report by the SADC election observer mission drew angry reactions from ZANU PF officials who went on overdrive attacking former Zambian vice president Nevers Mumba, who chaired the regional mission, including threats on his life.
The SADC Secretariat, however, responded to the attacks on Saturday, saying the report was not an individual effort but a collective one.
JN/APA