High Court Strikes Down Restrictive Election Law

Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court struck down an election law that President Robert Mugabe’s opponents called a ploy to help keep him in power, but it was unclear how the ruling would affect next week’s vote.

The decision cancels a measure that gave election officers sweeping powers and restricted vote monitoring, identity requirements for voters, campaigning and voter education, said a lawyer for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, which had challenged the law.

But with voter registration already closed, the opposition said, the ruling may make little difference.