Zimbabwe's main opposition party said on Saturday it had retained a historic victory over President Robert Mugabe's ruling party and accused the authorities of stepping up a campaign of violence.
The Movement for Democratic Change said a recount in 23 of the country's 210 constituencies had confirmed its victory in the March 29 elections. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) was not able to confirm the claim.
The opposition also said at least 15 of its supporters had been killed in politically-motivated attacks in rural areas of this troubled southern African nation and called on human rights monitors to help end the violence.
"The news we're getting is that the election result of March 29 has been confirmed. What we hear is that nothing has changed in all the constituencies," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told AFP.
But ZEC spokesman Utloile Silaigwana said the recount had only been completed in 14 of the 23 constituencies under the microscope and said the results would be announced at a later date.
According to initial results, ZANU-PF lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since Zimbabwe's independence from Britain in 1980. A partial recount was ordered following allegations of vote fraud by the opposition.
{{/usCountry}}According to initial results, ZANU-PF lost its parliamentary majority for the first time since Zimbabwe's independence from Britain in 1980. A partial recount was ordered following allegations of vote fraud by the opposition.
{{/usCountry}}The MDC has said the recount was an attempt by the government to buy time and rig the election result and has refused to recognise its outcome, holding on to its original victory in parliament.