Wellington  - New Zealand added its voice Friday to international concern about Zimbabwe, as Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed fears that President Robert Mugabe and his ZANU-PF party were "preparing to steal the parliamentary and presidential elections once again."

Peters said that there were strong indications from various sources that ZANU-PF, which lost its majority in Parliament, had secured the means to produce fraudulent results.

"ZANU-PF now appears to be trying to revisit the outcome, and to retain the presidency, by seeking recounts in 23 constituencies," he said.

"The international community is increasingly concerned that once again the will of the people of Zimbabwe will be frustrated by a government that refuses to respect the democratic process and the rights of the people they are meant to represent." (dpa)