NEW DEADLINE FOR ZIMBABWE'S VOTE !

The run-off will be held before the end of July

Zimbabwe's government has extended the deadline by which the presidential run-off vote must be held to 31 July.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) chairman told the BBC that the 21 days previously given to organise the second round was not enough time.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai beat President Robert Mugabe in the first round on 29 March, but with not enough votes to avoid a run-off.

An opposition spokesman told Reuters the delay "was illegal and unfair". According to a special government gazette published on Wednesday, Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa officially extended the period for the second round of voting. He said that instead of 21 days, Zec now had 90 days from the day the results were announced on 2 May to hold the vote.

This means the election should now take place on, or before, 31 July.

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has always demanded that the poll take place within the originally mandated time frame. But Zec Chairman George Chiweshe told the BBC News website that the previous deadline of 23 May left "insufficient time" for preparations.

The MDC has accused the ruling Zanu-PF party of beating and torturing MDC supporters in an attempt to either keep them away from the polls or intimidate them into voting for the ruling party.

"It is part of a programme to give Mugabe and Zanu-PF time to torment and continue a campaign of violence on the MDC," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told Reuters news agency. The MDC had threatened to boycott the second round after accusing Zanu-PF of trying to rig it but over the weekend Mr Tsvangirai said he would take part.

He has been in neighbouring countries since the first round because of alleged threats to his life. But Mr Chamisa said Mr Tsvangirai would return to address a rally in Bulawayo on Sunday.

Zanu-PF has said it is ready for the election and is already campaigning for President Mugabe.

BBC NEWS REPORT.