'Polls didn't meet regional standards'

The main challenger to Zimbabwe's long-time president, Robert Mugabe, says the election there is "null and void" due to alleged violations in the voting process.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said on Thursday that the poll a day earlier was heavily manipulated and did not meet regional or African election standards.

A poll monitoring group that is not affiliated with the state says the poll was compromised by a campaign to stop voters from casting ballots.

Mugabe has denied allegations of vote-rigging as a smear campaign by opponents.