UK expresses 'deep concern' over conduct of Zim election

British Foreign Secretary William Hague expressed "deep concern" over the conduct of the election, saying the failure to share the voters' roll with political parties was a "critical flaw."

Hague said that and other irregularities "call into serious question the credibility of the election."

"We note that some political parties have rejected the result on the basis of these irregularities," he said, without saying whether Britain endorsed their move.

"We will need to examine what has happened and consider further reports from regional and local observer missions. In the meantime, it is important that all allegations of electoral violations are thoroughly investigated."

Tsvangirai's party lost several seats in its Harare urban strongholds by massive margins compared to their overwhelming victories in 2008.

In one Harare constituency, Tsvangirai's party won with 9 538 votes to 8 190 captured by Mugabe's party. In 2008 the same district voted for the MDC candidate, Tendai Biti, by about 8 300 ballots against Mugabe's 2 500 votes.

"It is Zanu-PF's imagination that they have won this election, they know the truth," Tsvangirai said on Saturday. "We have been robbed.