Much now rides on the verdict of observers from the 15 member southern African SADC bloc, which negotiated the creation of a power sharing government in the wake of 2008’s bloody poll.
With 600 observers on the ground, SADC’s verdict will be closely watched by western nations blocked from monitoring the poll themselves.
The bloc said it will deliver its initial verdict later Friday.
Foreign diplomats have expressed deep misgivings about a poll they have described privately as non violent but fundamentally flawed.
Jeffrey Smith, from the Washington based Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, said it would be wrong to disregard the final results but “we must also not be blind to potential irregularities both leading up to the vote and on the day”.
So far Tsvangirai has limited his comments to condemnation of the poll, but already there are calls for mass protests, and warnings that may prompt a bloodbath.
The top brass from his Movement for Democratic Change will meet on Saturday to decide their response.
Ahead of he meeting top MDC official Roy Bennett called for a campaign of “passive resistance”.
“I’m talking about people completely shutting the country down don’t pay any bills, don’t attend work, just bring the country to a standstill.”
“There needs to be resistance against this theft and the people of Zimbabwe need to speak out strongly.”
The disputed outcome risks plunging Zimbabwe which battled a decade long downturn marked by galloping inflation and mass migration back into deep crisis.
“If certain people feel their choice was not accepted, they may resort to violence,” said Sean O’Leary a spokesman for a 3,000 strong group of poll monitors from the Catholic church.
Investors also expressed fears about the impact of a Mugabe victory, which could roll back the power-sharing government’s efforts to stabilising the economy after crippling hyperinflation and joblessness.
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