Guide Note

Zimbabwe held an election on March 29, 2008. Voters had 12 hours to cast their vote for incumbent president, Robert Mugabe, independent candidate Simba Makoni or Movement for Democratic Change candidate Morgan Tsvangirai. Leading up to the election, opposition candidates expressed concerns that Mugabe would not allow the elections to be free and fair and many feared that violence would break out. However, the election day itself proved to be largely peaceful.

Opposition victory

On Monday, March 31, the Movement for Democratic Change claimed a substantial victory. However, on April 1, it was announced by the Mugabe campaign that, while Morgan Tsvangirai had defeated Robert Mugabe, he did not have enough votes for an all out victory. On April 2, it was announced that Tsvangirai received 49% of the vote to Mugabe's 42%, with more votes to be counted. On April 3, it was announced that Mugabe's party lost control of the parliament, the first time this had happened in 28 years since independence. This result was contested, and verified, by a drawn out recount.

Claims of vote rigging

Robert Mugabe has been accused of adding ghost voters to the electoral roll. These allegations come after an order was placed for 9 million ballot papers. Zimbabwe has 5.9 million people eligible to vote. Critics also point out that the majority of polling stations were positioned in Mugabe strongholds.

Arrests and crackdowns

Following his party's loss in the parliament, Mugabe initiated a series of arrests widely viewed as a crackdown in preparation of reinforcing his rule. The MDC party of Morgan Tsvangirai claims that over 200 of its activists have been arrested and 15 killed in post election violence.

Still no result

Despite a completed recount, official election results have yet to be released. Robert Mugabe has been criticized of stalling and manipulating the electoral system to change the final result. Despite condemnation from within Zimbabwe and from around the world, Mugabe does not appear to be making any move to release the results, or provide any degree of transparency to how they were counted. Meanwhile, at least 450 beatings, one death and about 1,000 displaced people have been reported as the result of post-election violence.

Fast Facts

Results have been recounted, reportedly confirming a MDC victory
Official results are still outstanding
Reportedly, 15 MDC supporters have been killed and over 200 arrested
At least 450 beatings, one death, and about 1,000 displaced people have been reported
A bomb exploded in Bulawayo, an opposition stronghold
Winning candidate needs more than 50% of the vote
Second round election if no candidate achieves 50%

Mugabe Facts

Candidate for Zimbabwe African National Union—Patriotic Front
Gained power in 1980
Seeking sixth term in office
Mugabe: "Why should I cheat? The people are there supporting us."

Tsvangirai Facts

Tsvangirai: "It's now time to give Mugabe a red card and his pension"
Proposes 2 term limits of 5 years for Zimbabawe's presidents
Tsvangirai on pursuing Mugabe's crimes: "I am not vindictive"

Makoni Facts

Running as an independent candidate
Former finance minister of Zimbabwe
Criticized for breaking from the ZANU-PF to run on his own

Categories

News | Africa | Politics | Elections

View Note History

Zimbabwe Election 2008

Also try: Zimbabwe Runoff Election 2008 | Robert Mugabe | Morgan Tsvangirai

The Mahalo Top 7

BBC News: Zimbabwe Parties to Check Results (April 28, 2008)
VOA News: Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Zimbabwe Nears Verdict (April 28, 2008)
New York Times: Signs of Attacks on Zimbabwe’s Opposition (April 28, 2008)
BBC News: Q&A: Zimbabwe Elections (April 14, 2008)
Guardian Unlimited: Interactive Guide—Zimbabwe: A History
YouTube Video: What are the Hopes For African Democracy (Time: 7:20)
YouTube Video: 'Ghost voters' haunt Zimbabwe election (Time: 6:31)

Zimbabwe Election 2008 News

Google News: Zimbabwe Election 2008
BBC News: Zimbabwe results: reaction quotes
BBC News: Zimbabwe announces poll results (May 2, 2008)
New York Times: In Zimbabwe, Raid on Opposition and Monitors (April 26, 2008)
BBC News: Church Calls for Zimbabwe Action (April 24, 2008)
The Associated Press: Postelection Dispute Darkens Zimbabwe's Independence Day (April 18, 2008)

Recount Results

BBC News: Zimbabwe parties to check results (April 28, 2008)
IOL: MDC Still Wins After Recount (April 28, 2008)
Al Jazeera: Violence Mars Zimbabwe Recount (April 24, 2008)
Agence France-Presse: Opposition Retains Hold of Seat in Zimbabwe Recount (April 24, 2008)
The Independent: First Zimbabwe Recount Goes to Mugabe (April 23, 2008)
BBC News: Mugabe's Party Wins First Recount (April 23, 2008)
BBC News: First Results in Zimbabwe Recount (April 23, 2008)

Two Party Talks

Al Jazeera: Call for Zimbabwe Unity Government (April 23, 2008)
The Guardian: Calls for Coalition Government in Zimbabwe Amid Polling Chaos (April 23, 2008)
allAfrica: Party Set for Talks with Both Sides in Election Battle (April 15, 2008)
The Guardian: Mbeki and Tsvangirai Set for Talks on Zimbabwe Crisis (April 9, 2008)

Legal Action

BBC News: Zimbabwe Poll Petition Rejected (April 14, 2008)
BBC News: Legal fight over Zimbabwe recount (April 13, 2008)
The Guardian: Courts Delay Decision on Zimbabwe Voting Dispute (April 7, 2008)
New York Times: Zimbabwe Opposition Blocked From Filing Lawsuit (April 5, 2008)

Mugabe Response

BBC News: Mugabe: Lots of Laughs, No Answers (April 18, 2008)
allAfrica: Zimbabwe: Zanu-PF Plots Its Own Downfall (April 10, 2008)
Times Online: Mugabe's Joke Is No Laughing Matter (April 7, 2008)
New York Times: Mugabe Leadership Discusses Options (April 5, 2008)
The Sydney Morning Herald: Mugabe Crackdown: Opposition Raided (April 4, 2008)

Opposition Response

IOL: Elder Statesmen Can't Help MDC (April 23, 2008)
VOA News: Zimbabwe Opposition Applauds Tsvangirai Meeting With U.N. Chief (April 22, 2008)
VOA News: Zimbabwe Opposition Steps Up Diplomatic Offensive As Mugabe Digs In (April 22, 2008)
Bloomberg: Zimbabwe Opposition Calls for UN Court for Mugabe (April 18, 2008)
Al Jazeera: Zimbabwe Opposition Wants Mbeki Out (April 18, 2008)

International Response

allAfrica: Tsvangirai Won Election, Says U.S. (April 24, 2008)
BBC News: Mugabe Rival 'Clear Victor'—US (April 24, 2008)
The Associated Press: US Says Opposition Won Zimbabwe Presidential Vote (April 24, 2008)
BBC News: Mugabe Trying to 'Steal Election' (April 21, 2008)
BBC News: Mugabe Attacks Opposition and UK (April 18, 2008)
The Associated Press: Zimbabwe Under Pressure over Elections (April 17, 2008)
The New York Times: Strong Talk About Zimbabwe at the U.N. (April 17, 2008)
IC Publications: EU: More Delay in Giving Zimbabwe Vote Results 'Unacceptable' (April 17, 2008)
allAfrica: UN Chief Presses for Election Results (April 16, 2008)
The Earth Times: US Finds Zimbabwe in Crisis, Questions Recount Plans (April 15, 2008)

South African Involvement

BBC News: S Africa Joins Zimbabwe Vote Call (April 17, 2008)
Reuters: Zimbabwe Strike Flops, Concern in S.Africa (April 16, 2008)
VOA News: US Disappointed With Neighbors' Role on Zimbabwe (April 15, 2008)
New York Times: Zimbabwe Plight Is ‘Normal,’ South African Says (April 12, 2008)
BBC News: Summit bids to end Mugabe impasse (April 12, 2008)
BBC News: Mugabe Rival 'Meets SA President' (April 11, 2008)
BBC News: Zuma Condemns Zimbabwe Poll Delay (April 9, 2008)
ABC News: Zimbabwe Opposition Leader in South Africa (April 7, 2008)
The Observer: Mugabe 'prepares for war' over Zimbabwe results (April 6, 2008)
Thaindian News: Mbeki Urges Zimbabweans to Accept Poll Outcome (April 6, 2008)
allAfrica: Mbeki Urges Acceptance of Election Outcome) (April 4, 2008)

Strikes and Protests

Reuters: Zimbabwe Strike Flops, Concern in S.Africa (April 16, 2008)
BBC News: 'Arrests' After Zimbabwe Strike (April 16, 2008)
New York Times: Zimbabwe Protest Fizzles in Capital (April 15, 2008)
Al Jazeera: Zimbabwe Strike Gets Muted Response (April 15, 2008)

Violence and Arrests

BBC News: Zimbabwe Police Storm MDC Office (April 25, 2008)
Al Jazeera: Zimbabwe Police Raid MDC Office (April 25, 2008)
BBC News: Zimbabwe Violence Round-Up (April 23, 2008)
Al Jazeera: Zimbabweans 'Flee Election Unrest' (April 21, 2008)
IOL: Zimbabwe: From Fever Pitch to Edgy Anxiety (April 18, 2008)
BBC News: 'Arrests' After Zimbabwe Strike (April 16, 2008)
The Associated Press: Whites Under Siege Hunker Down in Zimbabwe Crisis (April 16, 2008)
Houston Chronicle: Police ban political rallies in Zimbabwe (April 11, 2008)
Al Jazeera: Warning Of Violence In Zimbabwe (April 9, 2008)
The Guardian: Africa Must Stop Zimbabwe Bloodshed, Says Opposition (April 9, 2008)
Al Jazeera: Zimbabwe Election Officials Held (April 8, 2008)
Times Online: Election Officials Arrested for 'Undercounting Mugabe' (April 8, 2008)
FOX Business: Amnesty International Says Post-Election Violence in Zimbabwe Appears to be Coordinated (April 10, 2008)
Washington Post: Police Presence Grows in Zimbabwe's Capital (April 4, 2008)
The Star (Toronto): Will Zimbabwe Explode? (April 2, 2008)

Journalist Arrests

The Guardian: Journalists charged in Zimbabwe (April 4, 2008)
Daily Express: British Man Charged in Zimbabwe (April 4, 2008)
FOX News: 'Crackdown' in Zimbabwe as Police Raid Hotels (April 3, 2008)
Reuters: New York Times Correspondent Held in Zimbabwe (April 3, 2008)
ABC News (Australia): NY Times reporter arrested in Zimbabwe (April 3, 2008)

Parliament Results

Guardian Unlimited: Mugabe's party loses control of parliament (April 3, 2008)
Telegraph: Robert Mugabe Loses Zimbabwe Parliament (April 3, 2008)
Guardian Unlimited: Mugabe's party loses control of parliament (April 3, 2008)
Washington Post: State-Owned Newspaper Says Election Runoff Likely (April 2, 2008)

Mugabe Resignation Talks

The Guardian: Zimbabwe Opposition in Contact with Military (April 2, 2008)
BBC News: Deal 'close' for Mugabe to leave (April 1, 2008)
Al Jazeera: Speculation Rife Over Mugabe Fate (April 1, 2008)
The Telegraph: Robert Mugabe 'in talks over resignation' (April 1, 2008)

Zimbabwe Election Runoff

Bloomberg.com: Mugabe Loses Majority, May Seek Presidential Runoff (April 3, 2008)
VOA News: Zimbabwe Opposition Says It’s Ready to Win Possible Election Run-off (April 2, 2008)
Reuters: Zimbabwe Opposition Says Defeats Mugabe in Election (April 2, 2008)
Canada.com: Prospects Grow for Zimbabwe Election Runoff (April 1, 2008)
National Post: Zimbabwe Headed for Runoff Amid Fraud Allegations (April 1, 2008)

Election Results

The Guardian: Mugabe Party Sources Concede Loss of First Round (April 1, 2008)
CBS News: Zimbabwe Election Results Trickle Out, Delays Fuel Fears... (March 31, 2008)
Canada.com: Mugabe's party, opponents level as results emerge (March 31, 2008)
Christian Science Monitor: Zimbabwe opposition claims election win (March 31, 2008)
The Guardian: 'We have been delivered from darkness' (March 30, 2008)
The Observer: Zimbabwe opposition claims huge poll win (March 30, 2008)

Election Results Delay

The Boston Globe: Mounting concern at Zimbabwe poll delays (March 31, 2008)
BBC News: Monitors warn on Zimbabwe 'delay' (March 30, 2008)
Mail & Guardian (South Africa): Concern over delay in Zim poll results (March 30, 2008)

Accusations of Election Rigging

SW Radio Africa News: SADC Notes Several Anomalies but Endorses Poll As Fair (March 31, 2008)
The Independent: Vote-Rigging Feared As First Votes Are Cast in Zimbabwe (March 27, 2008)
allAfrica: South African Opposition Observers Say Odds Stacked Against a Free Election (March 25, 2008)
Agence France-Presse: US Fears Zimbabwe Will Prevent Free Elections (March 25, 2008)
Reuters: Opposition Vows to Fight Zimbabwe Election Fraud (March 23, 2008)
allAfrica: Outrage Over Last-Minute Tinkering With Election Law (March 20, 2008)
Economist: Coming to a Crunch (March 19, 2008)

Voter Intimidation

allAfrica: Some Voters Turned Away (March 30, 2008)
International Herald Tribune: Mugabe Vows Opposition Will Never Rule... (March 23, 2008)
The Independent: Police: 'You'll Never Take Mugabe Out of Power' (March 23, 2008)
VOA News: Zimbabwean Observers Voice Concern About Pre-election Confusion (March 21, 2008)

Zimbabwe Election 2008 Background

Guardian Unlimited: Zimbabwe elections Q&A
Council on Foreign Relations: Planning for Post-Mugabe Zimbabwe (October, 2007) (349 KB)
ITN: Zimbabwe Election Warning (March 23, 2008)
Reuters: CHRONOLOGY-Zimbabwe's decade of crisis
Wikipedia: Zimbabwean Presidential Election, 2008
Angus Reid: Election Tracker: Zimbabwe
IFES: Election Guide: Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Election 2008 Videos and Images

BBC News: In Pictures: Zimbabwe's Election
YouTube Video: What are the Hopes For African Democracy (Time: 07:20)
YouTube Video: 'Ghost voters' haunt Zimbabwe election (Time: 6:31)

Zimbabwe Election 2008 Presidential Candidates

Robert Mugabe

Mahalo's Guide to Robert Mugabe
Wikipedia: Robert Mugabe
allAfrica: Makoni Rubbishes $3 Trillion Mugabe Bash (February 24, 2008)
Salon: Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe (April 28, 2000)

Simba Makoni

Mahalo's Guide to Simba Makoni
Wikipedia: Simba Makoni
BBC News: Simba Makoni: Zimbabwe's Roaring Lion? (February 5, 2008)
Telegraph: Simba Makoni Challenging Robert Mugabe (January 19, 2008)
The Economist: A Serious Rival, at Last? (January 17, 2008)

Morgan Tsvangirai

Mahalo's Guide to Morgan Tsvangirai
Wikipedia: Morgan Tsvangirai
BBC News: Profile: Morgan Tsvangirai
Zimbabwe Guardian: Tsvangirai to Revive Economy in 100 Days (February 27, 2008)
allAfrica: Tsvangirai Launches Manifesto and Election Campaign (February 25, 2008)
Voice of America: Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai Keeping Rival Makoni At Arm's Length (February 22, 2008)

Zimbabwe Election 2008 Blogs and Commentaries

allAfrica: MDC-T Take Heed—Truth Will Set You Free (April 18, 2008)
allAfrica: A Win for Mugabe Is a Lesser Evil for Country (April 9, 2008)
Herald Sun (Melborne): Difficult Rebirth for Democracy (April 7, 2008)
Modern Ghana: Mugabe Stretches Patient Zimbabweans to the Limit (April 7, 2008)
The Telegraph: How to save Zimbabwe after Mugabe (April 1, 2008)
WorldChanging: Mapping Electoral Fraud in Zimbabwe (March 26, 2008)
This is Zimbabwe: Using Google Maps to Show Election Rigging in Zimbabwe (March 25, 2008)
Daniel Molokele: Why Makoni's Candidature Might Actually Save Zimbabwe (February 27, 2008)
Pambazuka News: "Britain Should Help Zimbabwe by Staying Away" (February 26, 2008)
Zimbabwe Metro: Election 2008: Strategies and Counter Strategies (February 24, 2008)
Africa News: Creating the Crisis that Zimbabwe Needs (February 18, 2008)
Zimbabwe Guardian: Zimbabwe's Election of Sorts (February 17, 2008)

Related Searches

Zimbabwe Runoff Election 2008 | Zimbabwe | Robert Mugabe | Simba Makoni | Ian Smith | Morgan Tsvangirai | Movement for Democratic Change | Barry Bearak