Zimbabwes High Court has ruled against an opposition demand for the electoral commission to immediately release last months presidential election results, BBC online reports Monday.
Electoral officials had said they could not release the result until after a recount of the 29 March poll in some seats, amid reports of irregularities.
Movement for Democratic Change spokesman Nelson Chamisa said that since the poll some 200 MDC elections agents and activists had been beaten up by ruling party activists attempting to intimidate them before any run-off.
About 1.000 people have reportedly been displaced by political violence at Manicaland province in eastern Zimbabwe. Amid ongoing tension, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai is basing himself for now in neighbouring Botswana.
The opposition plans an open-ended nationwide strike on Tuesday. But with four out of five Zimbabweans jobless, widespread fear of the security forces and rallies banned, it is not clear how much impact the strike will have.
Independent tallies suggested Mr Tsvangirai won the poll, but took less than 50 per cent of the vote, meaning he would have to face a run-off.
The electoral commission says a recount of presidential and parliamentary results in 23 constituencies will start on Saturday. Zanu-PF wanted a recount in 22 constituencies, while an MDC recount request in one seat has also been granted.
Zanu-PF has lost its parliamentary its majority for the first time in Mr Mugabes 28-year rule. But it could be recovered if the ruling party is awarded just nine of the 23 seats subject to a recount.
