UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced concern on Thursday about incidents of violence in the Zimbabwean capital of Harare following Monday's elections.

Guterres called on the political leaders and the people of Zimbabwe to exercise restraint and reject any form of violence while awaiting the announcement of the election results, said Farhan Haq, Guterres' deputy spokesman, in a statement.

The UN chief further called on political leaders and electoral contestants to pursue any disputes through peaceful means, dialogue and in accordance with the law, said the statement.

Three protestors were killed on Wednesday in Harare as the nation was waiting for the final results of the elections. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa claimed victory and said Thursday that President Emmerson Mnangagwa would have released the results if the president had won.

Guterres noted the peaceful and democratic spirit on election day, and appreciated the commitment of the people of Zimbabwe to deepen democracy and their renewed focus on development of the nation, said Haq.

The elections, the first after the ouster of longtime ruler Robert Mugabe, mark an important step forward in Zimbabwe's democratic development, said the statement.