HARARE – THE European Union observer mission said Wednesday that “a truly level playing field was not achieved” in Zimbabwe’s election as the country awaits the results of the presidential vote.

The EU mission pointed out the “misuse of state resources, instances of coercion and intimidation, partisan behaviour by traditional leaders and overt bias in state media” but said Monday’s election was largely peaceful in a break from the past.

The assessments of Western and other observers, many who returned to Zimbabwe after being barred for nearly two decades, are crucial in the possible lifting of international sanctions.

The EU mission says this is a preliminary statement and more is expected on how the election results are handled and announced.

The EU’s chief observer, Elmar Brok, said he did not yet know if the shortcomings would have a material effect on the outcome of the vote, and he criticised the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for being, at times, “one-sided”.

The EU did not understand why the release of the presidential result was taking so long, he said.

“The longer it lasts that the results of the presidential election are not known, the more lack of credibility it provides. I would like to ask for, as fast as possible, the release of the presidential election. The presidential results were counted first in the polling stations therefore I have still to learn why it will be published last [sic].”

Dozens of angry MDC Alliance supporters gathered outside the gates of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and were met by a line of riot police.

The protesters then barricaded roads leading to the Rainbow Towers Hotel where results are being announced, sparking running battles with the police.

Within hours, at least four people were dead and several others injured after the army sent in tanks and armoured vehicles. The soldiers shot point blank at the scattering crowds.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa blamed opposition leaders for the deaths, while MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa was described as “deeply hurt” by the developments.

Tensions are rising as the country is waiting for the release of results. ZEC says Zanu PF has won a majority of seats in Parliament, 154 of 210 with the Alliance taking 54. Two were won by Independent, Temba Mliswa, and a candidate for the NPF, Masango Matambanadzo.

The Alliance has raised concerns about alleged vote-rigging, saying election results were not posted outside 21 percent of the country’s nearly 11,000 polling stations.

Douglas Mwonzora, the secretary-general for the MDC, said “what is not free and fair cannot be acceptable” and threatened to go to court.

Election observers from southern African nations commended Zimbabwe for a peaceful, orderly election, though they also identified some shortcomings in how it was conducted.

The Southern African Development Community said Zimbabweans had the “opportunity to exercise their constitutional right,” and applauded the government for allowing more international observers for Monday’s vote.

Manuel Domingos Augusto, the Angolan foreign minister and SADC representative, called the elections “a political watershed in Zimbabwe’s history, as they may open a new chapter leading towards socioeconomic recovery and consolidation of democracy.”

Augusto said efforts should be made to allow the millions in Zimbabwe’s diaspora, barred from voting abroad, to vote in future elections.

He also refers to criticism of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for the late release of the voters’ roll, as well as bias toward the ruling party by state media and traditional leaders.

He urged anyone with grievances to refrain from violence.

On Tuesday, former senior MDC Alliance leader Tendai Biti and ZESN, the main domestic election monitor, said one in five polling stations — more than 2,000 in all — had not physically posted tallies on their doors, as required by law. This omission gave room for the electoral commission, which ZESN and the opposition have accused of bias, to manipulate the results in favour of Mnangagwa and Zanu PF, Biti said.

On Wednesday, the EU addressed the same issue, with Brok, saying, “It is imperative that the results process is credible and transparent, with a full breakdown by polling station so that confidence in the outcome can be assured.”