The Zimbabwe Supreme Court today overturned a decree banning challenges against results of last year's parliamentary election that was narrowly won by followers of President Robert Mugabe.
Ruling in favour of an appeal by the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay said the Electoral Act of 2000 infringed candidates' rights to seek legal recourse in disputed election results.
The Supreme Court heard the MDC appeal earlier this month against Mr Mugabe's December decree that courts could not nullify the results of the June 2000 polls even if corrupt or illegal practices were committed.
The decree invalidated the MDC's legal challenge of 39 of the 62 seats won by ZANU-PF on grounds that the ruling party, in power since independence from Britain in 1980, cheated and ran a violent campaign to ensure victory.
Reuters