Zimbabwe parliamentary election results were declared free and fair by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. The Hindustan Times reported that "the ruling Zanu-PF party had won a majority of seats in Parliament." The Movement for Democratic Change supporters were enraged and believed the results were not fair. They began protesting in the main streets of Harare. The military was called in. eNCA News reported that shots could be heard from the downtown area. Now, there are photos and reports of people shot dead, or injured emerging from the opposition members and activists for change.

The bright new hopes of Zimbabwe elections see blood in the streets

The hope of so many people for a bright future were shattered, as pictures emerged on Twitter of people lying bleeding in the streets. Those people in opposition to ZANU-PF and current President Ed Mnangagwa are critical, saying that this is what people should expect from a government who used the military to take over in a coup.

Sky News Australia confirmed people were taking cover in the streets as ammunition was used to dispel the protesters. While they did not confirm if they used live bullets or rubber bullets, the people were shouting to each other to lie down, get down and not stand up as they were caught in the crossfire.

The video below shows the mayhem in the streets as people of all colors huddled behind whatever cover they could find.

Mnangagwa called for peace on Twitter

In the meantime, President Mnangagwa took to his Twitter, calling for people "to desist from provocative declarations and statements.

We must all demonstrate patience and maturity, and act in a way that puts our people and their safety first. Now is the time for responsibility and above all, peace."

But activists for change and general people in the public felt deeply angry that the Zimbabwe elections have resulted in blood in the streets and complain that the military should not have been involved.

Activist says on Twitter that as many as five people may be dead

Patson Dzamara, a leading activist, and the brother of Itai Dzamara who was abducted and disappeared under the ZANU-PF Mugabe Regime said as many as five people may be dead. It's not possible to confirm it but he did post up some disturbing photos.

Some people slammed the MCD for protesting

There were some angry people who slammed the MDC for taking protest action in the streets.

They alleged that the protesters had gotten out of hand by looting and setting fire to cars in the streets.

Rigged or not, leaders cautioned premature optimism

During the elections, responsible activists did tweet out that people should not be prematurely optimistic that the MDC would win the parliamentary votes. But people with a history of poverty and political oppression didn't want to wait. As the counts came in, they wanted to believe they were done with ZANU-PF. That probably accounted for the bitter disappointment that followed.

Meanwhile, there is still hope that Nelson Chamisa, the MDC front-runner will get the popular vote as president.

Whatever the outcome, today is a sad day as the police who usually deal with protests were called back and the army was sent in.

It was wrong to burn things and damage property, but as one tweeter said, the people simply have no faith in taking things through the proper channels.

The way forward is going to be difficult, no matter who becomes the president

The electoral commission is still sifting through and checking the presidential election votes and it was reported that announcing the results will be delayed. Nevertheless, whoever wins will be taking the helm in Zimbabwe under difficult circumstances. There is blood in the street, distrust and anger before the dawn of a new day has even begun in Zimbabwe.
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