Zimbabwe elections 'not credible'

Opposition supporters feel intimidated

The first international delegation of observers to visit Zimbabwe ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for June has concluded that the conditions do not exist for "credible democratic elections".

The team, which was led by a former vice-president of Nigeria, Alex Ekwueme, said that political violence and intimidation had created a climate of fear.

The violence has created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety

Alex Ekwueme

Several hundred international observers, including 160 EU observers, are expected to converge on Zimbabwe for the poll due in five weeks' time.

The ruling Zanu-PF party's election campaign manager Jonathan Moyo, dismissed the report as a senseless waste of time.

He said the work of such international observers was neither valid nor legitimate when carried out by what he described as longstanding friends of the opposition.

The opposition has complained that the electoral process is weighted heavily in favour of the ruling party.

Media access

The National Democratic Institute - a US-based organisation - produced its pre-election report amid concerns about the current levels of politically-motivated violence in which at least 23 people have been killed.

Violence and beatings have been widespread

Mr Ekwueme told a news conference in Harare that political leaders - in particular, President Robert Mugabe - should do everything in their power to ensure an immediate end to political violence.

He said the ability of party candidates, particularly from the opposition, to campaign freely and openly did not meet international standards.

He also accused the ruling party of harbouring a striking intolerance towards the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

The team went on to make a series of recommendations, including improved media access for all parties and a voter education programme highlighting the secret nature of the ballot.

Human rights group, Zimrights, says that 5,300 people have had to flee their homes because of political violence in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, the MDC is going to the High Court seeking a delay in the deadline for nominating candidates for the elections.