Foreign election observers began arriving in Zimbabwe Tuesday (11 March) ahead of a crunch poll at the end of the month, officials said. Zimbabwe goes to the polls 29 March to elect a new President and parliamentary and local representatives, in elections seen as make or break for President Robert Mugabe. The 84-year-old leader is seeking a new five-year mandate, against the backdrop of an unprecedented economic crisis which his opponents are capitalising on. Election officials said about 50 observers from the regional Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) had arrived for the poll, and more were expected during the week. Zimbabwe has invited 47 countries and regional and international organisations to observe the elections, but barred monitors from Western countries and organisations which it accuses of bias.The bulk of the invitations were extended to African countries and organisations, with fellow Third World countries and organisations also forming a large part. Panapress.
