The votes recount in Zimbabwe's parliamentary elections is a rigged sham, an international observer said.

The recount in 23 seats was ordered after president Robert Mugabe's party lost its majority in the ballot last month.

And fears that he was simply using the opportunity to manipulate the figures in his favour were backed up when south African politician Dianne Kohler-Barnard dismissed the process as "futile".

Results of the presidential election, held at the same time, still have not been announced.

Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai claims he won an outright victory, but independent observers say it is more likely that he would face a run-off election against 84-year-old Mugabe.

MDC Secretary-General Tendai Biti said that there were signs of irregularities in the recount.

The opposition also claimed mounting violence and intimidation against people who voted for their candidates.