OVERVIEW: Uneasy silence in Harare streets after Zimbabwe's military moves in, guns firing

An uneasy silence is settling over Zimbabwe's capital after people fled military and other security forces firing live ammunition to break up opposition protests over Monday's election results.

At least one person was killed.

Soldiers are stationed at intersections in Harare as the sun begins to set.

Hundreds of angry opposition supporters had gathered outside the compound of the electoral commission before scattering as the military moved in.

The violence came shortly after Western election observers urged the release of the presidential results as soon as possible and warned that a delay could lead to "volatility".

Reports on social media say there will be a government on @ZBCNewsonline on the unrest in Harare

Zimbabwean soldiers are occupying intersections in Harare and a military helicopter flies overhead.

People scatter as armored vehicles speed by with sirens wailing.

"They are killing us," a man shouts.Some protesters threw bricks into a main road with a military truck parked nearby, then ran when police trucks with water cannon raced toward them.

This is the first time Zimbabwe's military has been on the streets of Harare since the removal of longtime leader Robert Mugabe in November. At the time the military was met with cheers and selfies. - AP

A man lies on the ground after the Zimbabwean army opened fire in central Harare as protests erupted over alleged fraud in the country's election.

The man died after being shot in the stomach, an AFP photographer said, confirming that he died at the scene. (AFP)

A Zimbabwean soldier beats a man in a street of Harare as protests erupts over alleged fraud in the country's election.

One man was shot dead, AFP witnessed, after the Zimbabwean army opened fire in central Harare.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for peace. - AFP

"Don't direct the politics with guns. Please, we are begging you," Zimbabweans are pleading as armed security forces are on the streets of the capital and sporadic gunshots are heard.

Live video by The Associated Press from Harare shows smoke rising from burning vehicles and opposition supporters scattering after they protested alleged manipulation in Monday's election.

Election observers from the European Union and United States urge that results of the presidential vote be released as soon as possible to avoid "volatility". - AP

One man was shot dead, AFP witnessed, after the Zimbabwean army opened fire in central Harare on Wednesday as protests erupted over alleged fraud in the country's election.

The man died after being shot in the stomach, an AFP photographer said, confirming that he died at the scene. - AFP

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) supporters clash with anti-riot police outside Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party headquarters in Harare.

Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party won most seats in parliament, official results showe, as the opposition MDC protested against alleged widespread fraud and the count continued in the key presidential race. (AFP)

From AFP:

Zimbabwe police on Wednesday fired water cannon and teargas at opposition supporters outside the electoral results headquarters in Harare, an AFP correspondent witnessed, as tensions erupted over alleged fraud in the election.

Officers had been facing off through a locked gate against protesters who brandished opposition party banners, lit fires and chanted slogans against the ruling Zanu-PF party.

Zimbabwean anti riot police officers stand guard and close the gate of the Rainbow Towers where the election's results were announced, as supporters of the opposition party Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) protest against alleged widespread fraud by the election authority and ruling party, in Harare.

Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF party won the most seats in parliament, official results showed on August 1, 2018, but EU observers criticised the Zimbabwe elections for being held on an "un-level playing field". (AFP)

The candidate for Zimbabwe’s main opposition party accused the ruling Zanu-PF of trying to steal a presidential and parliamentary election on Wednesday after official figures gave President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s party a majority in parliament.

Nelson Chamisa (40 and Mnangagwa (75) were the main contenders in Monday’s election, the first since Robert Mugabe was forced to resign after a de facto coup in November after nearly 40 years in power. - City Press

Zimbabwe's electoral commission says it will say "sometime tomorrow" when it can start announcing the results of the presidential election.

The commission has five days from Monday's election to announce the results. It says "most of the presidential results are here with us" but that agents from all 23 candidates have to verify the results first.

The opposition has accused the commission of delaying the announcement, and the European Union observer mission has wondered openly why the presidential results were the first counted but the last to be shared publicly. - AP

EU observers on Wednesday criticised the Zimbabwe elections for being held on an "un-level playing field" as the opposition MDC protested against alleged widespread fraud by the election authority and ruling party.

The EU mission found an "improved political climate, but (an) un-level playing field and lack of trust in the process," it said in a statement.

"Observers reported... efforts to undermine the free expression of the will of the electors through inducements, soft intimidation, pressure and coercion against prospective voters to try to ensure a vote in favour of the ruling party," added EU chief observer Elmar Brok at a press conference.

"While political rights were largely respected, there was concerns regarding the environment for the polls (and) the misuse of state resources." - AFP

The European Union observer mission says "a truly level playing field was not achieved" in Zimbabwe's election as the country awaits the results of the presidential vote.

The EU mission points out the "misuse of state resources, instances of coercion and intimidation, partisan behavior by traditional leaders and overt bias in state media" but says Monday's election was largely peaceful in a break from the past.

The assessments of Western and other observers, many who returned to Zimbabwe after being barred for nearly two decades, are crucial in the possible lifting of international sanctions on this southern African nation. - AP