Mugabe defies world to stage his 'sham' election in Zimbabwe

The election has been condemned internationally as a ‘sham’.

Even opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who withdrew this week from the presidential runoff because of Mugabe’s terror campaign, called on his own supporters not to resist militants or soldiers forcing them to vote for the 84-year-old leader.

Crazed: Robert Mugabe greets supporters at his final rally in Harare yesterday

He said that faced with widespread intimidation, he expects a large turnout with a ‘massive frogmarching of people’ to ensure a huge vote for Mugabe.

But he added that if the vote went ahead, there could be no negotiations afterwards with a ‘president’ who would be shunned as an illegitimate leader.

Mugabe said he was ‘open to negotiations’, but bluntly rejected African and international calls to call off the election. He told a final campaign rally that he blames Gordon Brown for the decision to strip him of his honorary knighthood.

‘We continue to respect the Queen,’ Mugabe said.

‘It’s the demons at Downing Street that need to be exorcised.’

The dictator said he would attend an African Union summit in Egypt next weekend, but no solutions could be imposed on Zimbabwe from outside.

He added: ‘I know some people are gearing themselves for an attack on Zimbabwe.

'I want to see any country which will raise its finger in the African Union, for our elections have been free.’

Fear: Hundreds of Zimbabweans seeking refuge at the South African embassy in Harare to avoid attacks by Mugabe's thugs

On the prospect of negotiations with Mr Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change, he said: ‘Should we emerge victorious, which I believe we will, sure we won’t be arrogant, we will be magnanimous and say, “let’s sit down and talk".’

With state media in Mugabe’s control, many Zimbabweans were expected to vote unaware that Nelson Mandela told a fundraising dinner in London on Wednesday that there had been a ‘tragic failure of leadership’ in Zimbabwe.

While the remarks were welcomed yesterday, there was disappointment the statesman had not gone further.

Campaigner Peter Tatchell described them as ‘brief, weak and disappointing’ but said they were ‘better than nothing’.

Zeal: Strong-armed supporters at a rally in Chitungwiza yesterday will ensure Mugabe wins today

Mr Tsvangirai said : ‘We appreciate the solidarity from Nelson Mandela. It is something we cherish.’

He challenged South African president Thabo Mbeki to take urgent action to end the crisis.

Nigeria last night also called for Zimbabwe to postpone the runoff vote.