Zimbabwe election: UN body warns of voter intimidation

Zimbabwe's election campaign has been marred by a growing number of reports of voter intimidation and threats of violence, a UN body has said. This includes people being forced to attend rallies in rural areas, the UN human rights office said. It did not blame any party, but the ruling Zanu-PF has been accused of violence in previous elections. Monday's elections will be the first since long-serving ruler Robert Mugabe was forced to resign in November.

A survey published last week predicted a tight race between his successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa. The survey, by South Africa-based Afrobarometer, gave Mr Mnangagwa 40% of the vote and Mr Chamisa 37%, raising the possibility of a run-off.

In a statement, the UN human rights office said it welcomed the "widening of the democratic space" in Zimbabwe since Mr Mugabe's removal from office. "We remain concerned, however, at the increasing number of reports, particularly in some rural areas, of voter intimidation, threats of violence, harassment and coercion, including people being forced to attend political rallies," it added.