, MDC officials said their polling showed Tsvangirai clearly defeating Mugabe , who at 84 is the only president Zimbabwe has had since it gained independence from Britain in 1980 . But after delaying the release of results for more than a week , the country 's electoral commission -- which is made up of Mugabe appointees -- said that although Tsvangirai got more votes , he did n't top the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff . MDC supporters had already reported violence against them by police , military members and other supporters of Mugabe 's Zanu-PF party . But in the weeks leading up to the runoff , the reports increased in frequency and intensity . More than 70 people were killed in attacks since the election , according to the MDC . Mugabe 's supporters have claimed that those attacks were against his party members , a claim international observers , including the United Nations , have disputed . Watch victims say they were taken to torture camps '' Tsvangirai and other party leaders were repeatedly arrested by police or detained on their way to political rallies . And reports of beatings and other intimidation tactics
HARARE , Zimbabwe -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- With polls closed for a Zimbabwe runoff that opposition politicians and international observers call a sham , alleged torture victims who support former candidate Morgan Tsvangirai said Friday that they back his decision to pull out of the race . Many of the injured being treated at a private hospital in Harare , Zimbabwe , asked not to be identified . `` It 's a good move by my president , Morgan Tsvangirai , '' said a 26-year-old Movement for Democratic Change activist who said he was forced to stand on hot coals and had boiling water poured on him about a week ago . `` There 's no use going for an election . '' The man , who displayed a large , pale , blistered patch on his back , asked not to be identified -- as did others being treated at a private hospital in Harare -- for fear of further attacks by gangs supportive of President Robert Mugabe . All of the victims said they were taken to `` torture bases '' by the gangs , made up of young men and soldiers . In the March 29 election