HARARE (Thomson Financial) - Zimbabwe's top electoral official told a state newspaper Sunday that it was 'very likely' the country's presidential run-off poll would be delayed.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai had warned Saturday that failure to hold the second round of voting within the time limit set out in Zimbabwean law risked rendering the election process illegitimate.

The second round should take place within 21 days of the first-round results being announced, making May 23 the last possible day for the ballot, Tsvangirai said.

But Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairman George Chiweshe told the Sunday Mail that 'it is very likely that we will extend the period.'

'It was ambitious for the legislature to think that 21 days would be enough. However, they were also wise in that they made provisions for an extension,' he was quoted as saying.

'We want to make it clear that we intend to hold the run-off at the earliest date because the period set by the legislature shows that it should be held as (soon as) possible.'

tf.TFN-Europe_newsdesk@thomsonreuters.com

wj

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