New Delhi, Delhi, India

Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday took Twitter to call for peace as he welcomed the top court's ruling upholding his election victory after judges threw out an opposition bid to overturn the results over alleged ballot fraud.

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Mnangagwa tweeted, "I once again reiterate my call for peace and unity above all." 

"Let us all now put our differences behind us. It is time to move forward together, he added.

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Zimbabwe's top court today dismissed an opposition's bid to annul the recent presidential election results alleging rigging in favour of Robert Mugabe's successor.

"In the final analysis, the court finds the applicant has failed to place before it clear, direct, sufficient and credible evidence" of irregularities, said Chief Justice Luke Malaba in his ruling at the Constitutional Court in Harare, AFP reported.

"Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is duly declared winner of presidential elections held on the 30th of July 2018."

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Analysts had widely predicted the court would rule against the Movement for Democratic Change party's legal challenge.

Malaba dismissed the application with costs after strongly criticising the MDC's case.

Mnangagwa, of the ruling ZANU-PF party, won the election with 50.8 per cent of the vote -- just enough to meet the 50 per cent threshold needed to avoid a run-off against MDC leader Nelson Chamisa, who scored 44.3 per cent.

Lawyers for the MDC had argued on Wednesday that the results should be annulled due to alleged "massive doctoring" of the vote.

Thembinkosi Magwaliba, representing Mnangagwa, had rubbished claims that the opposition had produced any evidence of fraud.

"This application was not seriously done. The applicant is clearly flippant," he said.

Mnangagwa's inauguration should now take place within 48 hours of the court's ruling, according to the constitution.

(With inputs from AFP)