Tsvangirai files appeal to challenge Mugabe poll win

Lawyers for Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's party filed a court appeal Friday against the outcome of the crunch election which gave veteran President Robert Mugabe another five-year term.

Tsvangirai and his Movement for Democratic Change charge that the July 31 vote was a "farce" that was riddled with fraud and is demanding an audit."The prayer that we seek is that this election be declared null and void and also that a fresh election be held within 60 days," MDC spokesman told journalists outside the constituional court where the party's petition was lodged. 

Zimbabwe's electoral commission declared Mugabe the winner with 61 percent of the vote in the presidential election, against Tsvangirai with 34 percent. The election ended a shaky power-sharing government formed four years ago by Mugabe and Tsvangirai following a bloody election in 2008.

   Sapa-AFP