Government Harassment Alleged in Local Vote
Zimbabweans in rural areas voted in elections for local councils, but the main opposition party said hundreds of its candidates were barred from running.
Ruling party militants, backed by police, blocked about 700 opposition candidates from registering, officials from the opposition Movement for Democratic Change said. About 20 opposition candidates were assaulted during campaigning and 70 were arrested on false charges, opposition officials said.
President Robert Mugabe’s government has denied involvement in any violence or intimidation of opposition candidates.
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