Zimbabwe Runoff Election 2008

- Runoff held on June 27, 2008
- Results expected on June 28, 2008
- Human Rights Watch has called for the election to be canceledReuters: Factbox: What next in Zimbabwe's election? (June 10, 2008)
- Morgan Tsvangirai has been detained twice while campaigning for the runoff
- Police had banned public political rallies
- This ban was overturned by Zimbabwe's Supreme CourtReuters: Factbox: What next in Zimbabwe's election? (June 10, 2008)
- The MDC claims widespread political violence persistsReuters: Factbox: What next in Zimbabwe's election? (June 10, 2008)
- Robert Mugabe has stated he will not allow the MDC to come to powerReuters: Factbox: What next in Zimbabwe's election? (June 10, 2008)
- Mugabe's party lost control of parliament in the March 29, 2008 election
- MDC lacks the two-thirds majority needed to affect major change

Zimbabwe's president Robert Mugabe was sworn in for his sixth term on June 29, 2008.
Robert Mugabe, the only candidate still in the race, won a run-off election for president in Zimbabwe on June 27, 2008. Turnout was extremely low, and according to reports many people were forced to vote at gunpoint.The New York Times: In Zimbabwe, Voters' Fear Joins Mugabe on Ballot (June 28, 2008)
Mugabe's opposition bowed out earlier in the week due to mass beatings and deaths visited upon his supporters. On June 22, 2008, Morgan Tsvangirai announced that, under threats of violence, he would withdraw from the election.The New York Times: Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Pulls Out of Runoff (June 23, 2008)
When the results of the 2008 Zimbabwe election were finally announced on May 2, 2008, Tsvangirai was revealed to have received 47.9 percent of the vote, short of the 50 percent required to win the election outright, but significantly more than Robert Mugabe.BBC News: Zimbabwe announces poll results (May 2, 2008)
As a result, a runoff election was held on June 27, 2008.
Initial Election

Zimbabwe held an election on March 29, 2008. Incumbent Robert Mugabe and Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai were the main contenders.
Leading up to the election, opposition candidates expressed concerns that Mugabe would not allow the elections to be free and fair and many feared that violence would break out. The election day itself proved to be largely peaceful.The Guardian: Zimbabwe elections Q&A (March 25, 2008)
Post-Election Disputes and Violence

After the election, the MDC claimed victory.The Christian Science Monitor: Zimbabwe opposition claims election win (March 31, 2008)
However, disputes over the vote count led to a full recount. The new count took weeks to be released. Robert Mugabe was accused of stalling and manipulating the electoral system to change the final result.BBC News: Zimbabwe parties to check results (April 28, 2008)
Meanwhile, at least 450 beatings, one death and about 1,000 displaced people have been reported as the result of post-election violence.BBC News: Zimbabwe parties to check results (April 28, 2008)
Opposition Withdraws

On June 22, 2008, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai announced he would withdraw from the election.The New York Times: Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Pulls Out of Runoff (June 23, 2008)
His announcement came in response to threats of violence from Mugabe and his supporters.The New York Times: Zimbabwe Opposition Leader Pulls Out of Runoff (June 23, 2008)
Initial Election Results
1. Morgan Tsvangirai: 47.9% (1,195,562 votes)BBC News: Zimbabwe announces poll results (May 2, 2008)
2. Robert Mugabe: 43.2% (1,079,730 votes)BBC News: Zimbabwe announces poll results (May 2, 2008)
3. Simba Makoni: 8.3% (207,470 votes)BBC News: Zimbabwe announces poll results (May 2, 2008)