Zimbabwe opposition files poll challenge, alleges massive fraud in the 31 July vote

August 9, 2013 at 4:10PM

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Lawyers for outgoing Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Friday they filed an appeal with the Constitutional Court of the July 31 election results that gave Zimbabwe's longtime President Robert Mugabe 61 percent of the vote.

Tsvangirai's attorneys said they discovered that 870,000 names were duplicated on the voters' lists.

"We are going to submit good evidence" of vote-buying, rigging and other irregularities, said Tsvangirai's party spokesman Douglas Mwonzora.

Attorney Chris Mhike told reporters outside the courthouse that Tsvangirai wants elections declared null and void and for fresh elections to be held in 60 days. Mhike said the opposition has information to show there was rigging and other irregularities.

Tsvangirai alleges vote-rigging occurred through chaotic voters' lists.

The Constitutional Court judges are considered Mugabe loyalists.

Supporters of Mugabe scoff at accusations of election fraud in this southern African nation.

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