Zimbabwe run-off poll predicted
Written: 2nd April, 2008
Zimbabwe could be heading for a presidential run-off within three weeks, according to the state-owned Herald newspaper.
The first official indication of the result of Saturday's election says that neither President Robert Mugabe nor his main challenger gained 50% of the vote.
Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai said his party would issue its own results if the commission did not.
He says he won the poll but denies
discussing Mr Mugabe's departure.
Mr Tsvangirai said he would not claim victory until the official count was known and added that no negotiations would take place until such time.
The BBC's Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says it is widely believed that President Mugabe would not want to face the humiliation of a run-off in the presidential contest, should neither he nor Mr Tsvangirai obtain an absolute majority this time.
Correspondents say Mr Mugabe would be unlikely to win a run-off, as those who voted for independent candidate Simba Makoni would be expected to vote against the president.
Source BBC news