The High Court in Zimbabwe Monday ruled it had jurisdiction over an opposition application to force an elections body to release delayed results of a presidential poll.
It however postponed to Tuesday a ruling on whether the case should be heard on an urgent basis as applied for.
The main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) petitioned the High Court Saturday to force the Zimbabwe Electoral Commision (ZEC) to release results of the 29 March presidential vote, but lawyers for the elections body objected to the suit on grounds that the court had no jurisdiction over the case.
The court, in a ruling made in chambers, ruled it had jurisdiction over the case, but said it would further rule Tuesday whether or not to hear it on an urgent basis as the MDC applied for.
Nine days after the election, ZEC has yet to release the results, prompting the opposition suit and widespread speculation of rigging.
The elections body has said it is still counting and verifying the figures, and has asked the public to be patient.
The MDC has, meanwhile, claimed victory based on its own tally of the votes, a claim that has been dismissed by ZEC and the government.
It is widely believed no candidate won the requisite 50 percent of the vote, and therefore a run-off would have to be held.
The controversy is building up political tensions in the country, where both the army and police have been put on alert to deal with any disturbances. Panapress.
