MDC challenges Mugabe's re-election, describes it as 'coup by ballot'

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party has challenged President Robert Mugabe's re-election in the country's top court, describing the July 31 July voting as rigged.

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The MDC, led by Morgan Tsvangirai, has filed the case before the Constitutional Court in Harare arguing that the election should be cancelled amid reports of alleged illegalities and intimidation of voters by Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, News24 reports.

MDC spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora also said that they want the court to order fresh elections within 60 days.

Meanwhile, the court must pass the ruling on the case within 14 days under Zimbabwe's Constitution.

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Analysts, however, believe that Zanu-PF's pre-dominance over the judiciary and state institutions in the country won't let it go against Mugabe.

Mugabe will be sworn in as president of the country only after the case has been decided.

Mugabe had beaten Tsvangirai with almost two-third majority in recent elections.

The African Union (AU) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) election observers had earlier approved the presidential and parliamentary elections as orderly and fearless, but the polls have been questioned from the West.