First figures show higher turnout than in 2000

The initial overall election turnout for the whole country – by the end of voting on Sunday evening as announced by Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation - was around 2,980.000, or 53 percent of the registered electorate. Monday’s voting in Chitungwiza and Harare – disrupted and cut short by administrative obstructions – is not included in this total.

By province, the turnout varied widely, according to the official release, from 46 percent in Bulawayo and Matabeleland North to 69 percent in Mashonaland Central. Overall, the turnout was almost eight percentage points higher than in June 2000.

Again, the figures vary – from under one percentage lower in Bulawayo compared with the parliamentary elections, to around 14 percentage points higher in Manicaland and Mavingo, and 17 percentage points higher in Mashonaland Central. The Harare turnout by Sunday evening, at 47 per cent of those registered, was around 2 percentage points higher than in June 2000. However, these initial turnout figures given by ZBC have been subsequently revised – considerably – by the government.

According to MDC analysts, the high turnout would largely work in favour of opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai, assuming a voting pattern similar to that of parliamentary elections in the year 2000. But they also were afraid of manipulations by the government during the counting process in Mugabe's favour.

(ZWNEWS, SADOCC)