Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai is considering whether to pull out of the June 27 presidential run-off election, fearing it will be a charade, a spokesman said on Friday.
A growing number of African nations, the United States and former colonial power Britain have said they do not believe the poll would be free and fair because of violence that the opposition blames on veteran President Robert Mugabe.
Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change says at least 70 of its supporters have been killed since he defeated Mugabe in a March 29 vote but fell short of the outright majority needed to avoid a run-off, according to official figures.
"There is a huge avalanche of calls and pressure from supporters across the country, especially in the rural areas, not to accept to be participants in this charade," MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa told Reuters.
Chamisa said the MDC would decide on Monday whether to contest the poll, with divisions among party officials on whether to consider dropping out.
"I have no knowledge of any instance of us pulling out of this race. And I would know," South Africa-based MDC Treasurer-General Roy Bennett told E News.
Mugabe, 84, is fighting to cling onto power in the country he has ruled since independence in 1980. Once prosperous, its economy is now ruined and millions of Zimbabweans have fled the political and economic crisis to neighbouring states.
Police chief Augustine Chihuri said 390 opposition supporters and 156 members of the ruling ZANU-PF party had been arrested over violence since the first round of voting.
"It is without doubt that between the two political parties . the MDC is the main culprit," Chihuri said.
Tsvangirai has been detained five times while campaigning.
A magistrate on Friday rejected the MDC's bid to win the release of its secretary-general, Tendai Biti, held on treason charges that could carry the death penalty. He was ordered to remain behind bars until July 7, although the High Court is due to hear an application for bail on Tuesday.
