Over 50,000 individuals have applied for accreditation as local observers for Zimbabwe's presidential election run-off set for June 27 while the government said on Tuesday it would cut the number by 80 percent.

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa told a media briefing that the government would ask organizations that applied to reduce the number of observers for each institution to allow for a smooth running of the election.

At least 10,000 observers would be adequate, Chinamasa said, adding that this was likely to tally with the number of polling stations to be set up for the crucial poll.

In the March 29 harmonized elections, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission set up 9,158 polling stations countrywide.

"Given the situation, it is clear that our electoral system cannot accommodate that number without disturbing the smooth flow of the electoral system," he said.

The minister added that the government would also take the opportunity to screen the local observers. "We want to be clear and sure that they are independent," he said, "Observation can only be conferred to those who are neutral, who have no preconceived views about the situation they are going to observe."

He said local observers assuming the status of being an extension of foreign interests would not be allowed. "We do not want observers who come with an already written report," he said.

Zimbabwe will hold a presidential run-off election on June 27, pitting President Robert Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2008)