The story

Political opponents of Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe denounced Friday's presidential election results as "illegal" and said they stand by their stance that their leader won the race and that no runoff is necessary.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission said challenger Morgan Tsvangirai won 47.9 percent of the vote, compared with 43.2 percent for Mugabe.

"The announcement of the results today was illegal. The MDC stands by its previous stance that the vote was stolen from the opposition by a regime that is clinging to power," said Tendai Biti, secretary-general of Tsvangirai's political party, Movement for Democratic Change.

Under Zimbabwe law, because neither candidate got 50 percent plus one vote, a runoff is needed.

But Biti said the law states that the candidate who has the most votes should be president. The MDC also contends that Tsvangirai got 50.3 percent of the vote and is the official winner. Read full article »

CNN's Nkipele Mabuse in Johannesburg, South Africa, contributed to this report

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All About Zimbabwe • Robert Mugabe • Morgan Tsvangirai • United Nations