World

Zimbabwe election: Army patrols ghost town Harare

August 2, 2018 4:05 pm

Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, is a ghost town as most people stay indoors ahead of the release of disputed presidential election results.

Troops patrolled the city centre, ordering people to “behave”.

Six people were killed after Wednesday’s clashes in the city between the security forces and supporters of opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.

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He says Monday’s polls were being rigged to give President Emmerson Mnangagwa victory.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) said there was “absolutely no skulduggery”, and it would begin releasing presidential results at 20:00 GMT.

Mr Chamisa insists he has won, and has called on his supporters to await “mass celebrations”.

The elections were the first since long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, 94, was ousted in November.

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The polls were intended to set Zimbabwe on a new path following Mr Mugabe’s repressive rule.