Zimbabwe: Citizens Vote Amidst Economic and Political Turmoil

Approximately 6.6 million registered Zimbabweans will vote today, Wednesday 23 August, for a new batch of leaders and lawmakers, in the hopes of turning the country’s economic conditions around.

The southern African nation will choose between incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa of the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front, and ten other candidates, including Nelson Chamisa of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change.

During the 2018 presidential and parliamentary elections, Mnangagwa narrowly gained the required plus-50% of the vote in order to be elected outright and avoid a run-off. However, Chamisa set himself up as a charismatic challenger, and he remains popular amongst the youth and those hoping for a new Zimbabwe “for everyone.”

Citizens will take to the polls on the public holiday to directly choose a president, 210 lawmakers, and 1 970 municipal and local officials. The main concerns of the citizenry revolve around corruption, a deteriorating quality of life and reviving an economy that has been in a downward spiral since the 1990s.

More than 12 300 polling stations across the country will commence counting the results at the end of the day and a final announcement is expected five days afterwards.

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