Zimbabwe's Mugabe backs opposition on eve of election

By MacDonald Dzirutwe

HARARE (Formerly Robert Mugabe) said he would vote for Zimbabwe's opposition in Monday's election, turning on one-time allies in the government ahead (19659003) The election will see 75-year-old President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a long-time Mugabe ally, 40-year-old face Nelson Chamisa, a lawyer and pastor who are vying to become Zimbabwe's youngest head of state.

Polls, which are unreliable, give leadership training Mnangagwa only a lead lead over Chamisa, making a runoff on September 8 a possibility.

Mugabe, whose 37-year (19659003) "I hope the choice of voting tomorrow will be thrust away, thrust away." the military gover "Mugabe," said a frail looking Mugabe, "in a rambling off the cuff speech that lasted almost an hour.

" … so there is Chamisa left. "

Mugabe, one of the last" Big Men "of African politics, still looms large over Zimbabwean politics and he may yet influence the first vote Country gained independence from Britain in 1980.

But it has become more and more important in the past, but it is still more important than it has been in the past. Mnangagwa, known as "the crocodile", an animal famed in Zimbabwean lore for its stealth and ruthlessness, was removed as vice president by Mugabe last month to make way for his wife, Grace, to sixteen power, badysts say.

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VIOLENCE FEARS

Mugabe on Sunday said it was "total nonsense" that he wanted his wife to succeed him

Such is the draw Mugabe retains even seven months after stepping aside, he became the focus of questions at a parallel press conference held by Chamisa.

] "Mr. Mugabe's wishes are his wishes. I am going to accept any vote with open hands. The more the merrier, "Chamisa said in response to a question about Mugabe's endorsement.

Elections under Mugabe were abused by violence, rigging and voting.

Chamisa's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Election Commission (ZEC) of the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) of bias.

There there have been reports of intimidation and coercion, and state media is biased towards the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF).

Chamisa argues the arguments of the United States and the Commonwealth,

There are more than 50 percent of men and women in the fight against violence.

Dozens of people were killed in the lead A runoff in 2008 between Mugabe and MDC founder Morgan Tsvangirai, who died in February. Tsvangirai pulled out of the contest before the vote in an effort to end the bloodshed.

"A run-off election is becoming more likely, which also increases the risk of violence in this election," said Robert Besseling , badyst at EXX Africa.

"Although an outbreak of widespread violence in 2008 is not expected …"

(Reporting by Macdonald Dzirutwe; Writing by Joe Brock Editing by Mark Heinrich, William Maclean)