Zimbabwe Election Result Announced As Ruling Zanu - PF Wins Majority In First Poll Since Robert Mugabe

Robert Mugabe's reign ended its last chapter today as Zanu-PF, his old party, won a majority in Zimbabwe's elections - without him

It sets the stage for Mugabe's nemesis, Emmerson 'Crocodile' Mnangagwa, to claim victory and remain President

Robert Mugabe's reign ended its last chapter today as his old party won a majority in Zimbabwe's elections - without him.

Mugabe ruled the nation with an iron fist for 37 years before he finally quit in a bloodless coup in November.

Speaking this week, the frail 94-year-old said he couldn't back ruling party Zanu-PF claiming: "I cannot vote for those who have tormented me."

But today Zimbabwe's Electoral Commission said Zanu-PF were cruising to a big majority after picking up 109 seats - compared to just 41 for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

That sets the stage for Mugabe's nemesis, Emmerson 'Crocodile' Mnangagwa, to claim victory and remain President.

Mugabe ruled the nation with an iron fist for 37 years before quitting in November

Voters in Zimbabwe pick a presidential candidate based on their party affiliation.

And the trend in the parliamentary election was expected to continue when results for he president are announced this week.

The House of Assembly of Parliament has 210 seats. Another 58 seats were yet to be declared in latest results reported by Reuters on Wednesday morning.

Zanu-PF would need to win 30 more to have a two-thirds majority that would allow it to change the constitution at will.

The opposition MDC, led by Nelson Chamisa, won in most urban centres, where it enjoys majority support.

The opposition MDC, led by Nelson Chamisa, won in most urban centres

And the MDC accused the election commission of deliberately delaying results of the vote to favour the ruling party.

The opposition claimed there were irregularities in the first poll since the removal of Mugabe in a bloodless coup.

Former MDC finance minister Tendai Biti blasted the situation as an “interference with the people’s will”.

Even though the election passed off peacefully, several water cannon trucks patrolled outside the central Harare headquarters of the MDC as its red-shirted supporters danced in the streets.