Mugabe Promises to Step Down as Zimbabwe's President if He Loses Elections

Dictator's supporters accused of vote rigging

On the eve of elections in Zimbabwe, longtime President Robert Mugabe denied on Tuesday that his supporters have engaged in vote-rigging despite widespread allegations of irregularities in the run-up to the polls. He also said he would step down if he loses the elections after 33 years at the helm of a once prosperous nation whose economy is now in dire shape.

Western governments have condemned previous elections won by Mugabe, alleging the vote was swayed by political violence, intimidation and ballot rigging. While this campaign has so far been far less violent than past elections, there are numerous signs that the electoral process has been vulnerable to manipulation, raising prospects of more political uncertainty ahead.