Mugabe sweeps senate polls

ZIMBABWE'S ruling party has won a huge majority in polls for a new upper house, marked by widespread voter apathy.

The revived 66-member upper house comprises 50 elected members, 10 traditional chiefs elected in separate elections and six senators appointed by Mr Mugabe.

Voters shunned the senate polls on Saturday to carry on with their daily chores. At some polling stations, police and election officials outnumbered voters and some polling booths were deserted.

Election observers said the polls in which less than 30 per cent of the registered voters in most constituencies went to cast their ballots, were "a silent protest against President Robert Mugabe's regime".

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