{{A leading Zimbabwe opposition figure has called for a campaign of “passive resistance” after election results showed President Robert Mugabe’s party had won a large majority in parliament.}}<\/p>\n
Roy Bennett, treasurer of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said people should force Mr Mugabe’s Zanu-PF to “rule by themselves”.<\/p>\n
The MDC has already said it will not recognise the results, alleging fraud.<\/p>\n
It comes as the party holds emergency meetings to discuss the outcome.<\/p>\n
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission earlier said Zanu-PF had won 137 seats in the 210-seat chamber – just short of two-thirds – with most seats declared.<\/p>\n
Results in the presidential race have yet to be announced.<\/p>\n
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who heads the MDC and is running for president against Mr Mugabe, has already dismissed the election as “a sham”.<\/p>\n
Amid rising tension, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on President Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai to send “clear messages of calm” to their supporters.<\/p>\n
His spokesman, Martin Nesirky, said Mr Ban wanted any election disputes to be handled “transparently and fairly”.<\/p>\n
The MDC was believed to be holding talks on Friday and Saturday to decide on a response to the results.<\/p>\n
Its treasurer Roy Bennett said there should be a wave of social disobedience in order to bring the regime to a halt.<\/p>\n
“I’m calling on the people of Zimbabwe, who are our constituents and who we represent in the positions we hold, for passive resistance and for total disengagement,” he said.<\/p>\n
“And let Zanu-PF rule and rule by themselves and bring the country to a standstill.”<\/p>\n
Mr Tsvangirai, 61, earlier said the vote was “null and void”.<\/p>\n
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