Concern was mounting on Tuesday that President Robert Mugabe is determined to defy indications of a defeat in weekend elections, as the state appointed election authority issued results at glacial speed showing the ruling Zanu-PF party neck-and-neck with the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

The latest figures released by the Zimbabwe Election Commission on Tuesday morning, more than two and a half days after the polls closed gave Zanu-PF 53 seats to 57 for the MDC. No figures were released for the presidential race.