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Mass Turnout Expected For Zimbabwe Runoff

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The Associated Press

Published: June 27, 2008

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe's one-candidate presidential runoff is already a footnote, with the world looking beyond today's electoral charade to how longtime leader Robert Mugabe can be pushed toward real democracy.

Mugabe - who at the 11th hour told a campaign rally Thursday he was willing to talk to the opposition - is expected to orchestrate a mass turnout, with anyone who tries to stay home subject to attack.

Nigeria joined the chorus of nations in Africa and the West calling for the vote to be postponed, saying Thursday it was doubtful a credible election could be held. It said an observer mission for a West Africa bloc led by a former Nigerian leader had been recalled from Zimbabwe.

The 84-year-old Mugabe has shown little interest in talks with Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, and his government had scoffed at the opposition leader's call Wednesday to work together to form a transitional authority.

But at a campaign rally Thursday, Mugabe said: "We remain open to discussion with the MDC." Deputy Information Minister Bright Matonga said that did not indicate a softening toward the opposition, however, and any contacts could only take place after Friday's vote.

Mugabe also told the crowd he would be going to Egypt, where a meeting of African Union heads of state is to be held Monday - presumably to attend as a victorious re-elected president.

Tsvangirai announced Sunday that he was withdrawing from Friday's vote because state-sponsored violence against his Movement for Democratic Change had made it impossible to run. He then fled to the Dutch Embassy for safety.

Speaking to the BBC World Service from inside the embassy, Tsvangirai said he expected voters would be forced to the polls.

"There will be massive frog-marching of the people to the polling stations by force," the opposition leader said. "There could be a massive turnout, not because of the will of the people but because of the role of the military and the traditional leaders to force people to these polls."

Still, he told his supporters not to resist if militants from Mugabe's ZANU-PF party or government soldiers force them to go to the polls.

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