Zimbabwe opposition MDC Alliance files court challenge on Mnangagwa victory

Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-11 00:16:12|Editor: Mu Xuequan
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HARARE, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwe opposition MDC Alliance on Friday filed its application with the Constitutional Court seeking the nullification of the victory of incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa in the July 30 polls.

According to electoral authorities, Mnangagwa won 50.8 percent of the vote, beating his main rival, Nelson Chamisa of the MDC Alliance, who has rejected the results, saying they were fraudulent.

"The application has been lodged. We are seeking a declaration to the effect that the presidential election was not properly conducted, it was not done in terms of the constitution, it was not conducted in terms of the Electoral Act and it was not conducted in terms of standards of fairness, transparency and accountability," Chamisa's lawyer Thabani Mpofu told reporters.

"Consequently we also seek a declaration to the effect that the announcement made by Justice Priscilla Chigumba declaring Emmerson Mnangagwa as the duly elected President of Zimbabwe is faulty at law. It is null and void and must be set aside," Mpofu said.

He said the opposition is seeking the court to declare the proper winner and "that proper winner is my client (Chamisa)."

"In the alternative, we seek that there be another election which complies with the dictates of the law and which complies with the letter and spirit of the Constitution of Zimbabwe," the lawyer said.

The respondents should file their opposing papers within three days and the court must hear and determine the matter within 14 days.

The court challenge effectively stops the planned inauguration of Mnangagwa on Sunday.

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