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"Vote Mugabe 'if you must'
27/06/2008 11:34 - (SA)
Harare - Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai told his supporters to vote for President Robert Mugabe if necessary to avoid harm as a Mugabe-only presidential election condemned internationally as a "sham" got under way on Friday.
"If possible we ask you not to vote today," Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Tsvangirai, who withdrew from the contest last week, citing fears for the safety of MDC supporters, said in a letter circulated on the internet.
"But if you must vote for Mr Mugabe because of threats on your life today, then do so."
In proceeding with the vote Mugabe defied calls from the international community and Zimbabwe's neighbours in the Southern African Development Community to postpone the run-off presidential ballot, which observers have said will not be free and fair.
Tsvangirai, 56, withdrew from the contest at the last minute over a campaign of state-sponsored militia attacks on MDC supporters that has killed around 90 people since the first round of voting on March 29.
Tsvangirai took more votes than Mugabe in that election but not enough for an outright victory.
Tsvangirai and the US ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee, have accused Mugabe of deploying the military and militia to "frogmarch" voters to the polls in order to produce a large turnout.
Tsvangirai also alleged other tactics were being used to intimidate Zimbabweans into voting for 84-year-old Mugabe, including ordering voters to note the serial number of their ballot so that their vote can be traced and telling them each vote for Tsvangirai would mean a life lost.
Some people in Harare told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa earlier that they feared their thumbs would be checked by security forces for the indelible red ink that proves they voted.
Friday's election looks certain to entrench Mugabe's hold on power for another five years. The elderly leader has signalled he is open to talks with the opposition on some form of power sharing, but only after the vote.
"Whatever happens the results on 27 June will not be recognised by the world," Tsvangirai said.
The United States, Britain and other countries have already said they will not endorse the outcome. - Sapa-dpa