PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe, in power for the last 16 years, says voter apathy could be harder to overcome than his sole challenger in Zimbabwe's presidential election this weekend.
"I know we will win but European countries want to see how many people will vote", Dr Mugabe recently told a rally in Bulawayo, the country's second- largest city.
If, for instance, they see that half the number of people registered to vote, say, in Bulawayo did vote, they will say Mugabe's party is not popular", he said of an election being watched more for its turn-out than its outcome.
Dr Mugabe has canvassed widely in the southern African country in the past month, addressing about 30 campaign rallies, urging 4.9 million registered voters to cast their ballots to show support for him and his ruling Zanu-PF party.
His only rival is Bishop Abel Muzorewa, former leader of pre-independence Zimbabwe-Rhodesia, of the United Parties, who has little support.
The veteran opposition leader, the Rev Ndabaningi Sithole, president of the small right-wing Zanu-Ndonga party, pulled out of the contest on Tuesday, alleging the government had framed him on charges of plotting to kill Dr Mugabe and to stage a coup.
Many Zimbabweans say while a low turn-out in the election tomorrow and Sunday would be a blow to Dr Mugabe, it would also indicate an apathetic view of the opposition.
The opposition is torn by leadership quarrels and has failed to present a coherent economic and political programme despite growing dissatisfaction with Dr Mugabe's 16-year-old rule.
The turn-out in the last presidential election in 1990 was 54 per cent but recent local government and parliamentary by-elections have averaged 20 per cent.
Besides Mr Sithole, four other opposition parties are boycotting the weekend polls over charges the electoral process is rigged in favour of Zanu-PF. They and other political analysts say Dr Mugabe and his party wield sweeping powers and control over the dominant state media and the appointment of poll supervisors and have unlimited access to state funds and resources.