First Senate results are out, and following the trend it’s MDC/Tsvangirai 5, Zanu-PF 5. Two of those Zanu-PF seats would have gone to the MDC, if having both factions fielding candidates there hadn’t split their vote.

But that’s not the main news tonight. It seems Mugabe may have decided to come out fighting, despite diplomatic efforts from some of his close allies (including former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano) to get him to step down. A Zanu-PF spokesman earlier stated that Zanu-PF had only put 25% effort into these elections, but that they would now “unleash” 100% effort to make sure they won any run-off Presidential vote. That word “unleash” has worrying connotations, given what was unleashed on the country in the previous two general elections.

Now, there are reports that two foreign journalists in Harare have been arrested, that police have raided MDC offices in Harare, and that some members of the MDC leadership, including Tsvangirai, have opted to keep a low profile for a while. The police raid is officially to do with the MDC’s victory declaration - as mentioned previously, it’s illegal under Zim’s election law to declare victory before ZEC have declared the official results - but in reality it’s a thinly-veiled attempt at intimidation, and possibly a sign that things may turn nasty.

I suspect some in Zim will be having a restless night tonight.