In a bid to secure a second and final term, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is vying for victory in Zimbabwe’s presidential election. However, delays and chaotic scenes have marred the polling process, leading to the extension of voting until Thursday. This comes as the country grapples with a history of violent and disputed elections.
Numerous polling stations in opposition strongholds, particularly in urban areas such as Harare, experienced delays of up to 10 hours, prompting frustration amongst voters. At the Haig Park Primary School polling station in Harare, people became agitated and confrontational when they were informed that they would have to return the following day due to the shortage of local council election ballot papers. Some voters, who had been waiting since early morning, vowed to sleep at the polling station until the situation was rectified.
The issue of late delivery of ballot papers was widespread, with some stations still awaiting their arrival even after the scheduled 7 p.m. closing time. Catherine Nyakudanga, who had been waiting with her 6-month-old baby since 7 a.m., expressed her determination to cast her vote despite the extensive delays. Concerns were raised about the safety of voters, particularly the elderly and women who endured long hours without food or water. In response, some voters resorted to lighting fires to cook their dinner while waiting in line.
This election marks the second since the removal of longtime ruler Robert Mugabe in a 2017 coup. The ballot consists of twelve presidential candidates, but the main contest is expected to be between President Mnangagwa, known as “the crocodile,” and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa. Mnangagwa narrowly defeated Chamisa in the disputed 2018 election. Chamisa aims to break the ruling ZANU-PF party’s 43-year grip on power, as Zimbabwe has only had two leaders since gaining independence from white minority rule in 1980.
If no candidate secures a clear majority in the first round, a runoff election will be held on October 2. The outcome also determines the composition of the 350-seat parliament and nearly 2,000 local council positions. Basil Chendambuya, an early voter in a working-class township in Harare, expressed his hope for change, emphasizing the need for his vote to count. The increasingly difficult living conditions faced by ordinary Zimbabweans, including rising food prices and a lack of formal employment, have fueled the desire for change.
Observers from the European Union and the Zimbabwe Elections Support Network reported significant delays in the opening of polling stations, particularly in Harare. These delays were often attributed to the lack of essential materials, such as paper ballots. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission admitted the late distribution of ballot papers in some stations and attributed it to printing delays caused by numerous court challenges related to candidate eligibility.
Although allegations of intimidation in rural areas were made by Chamisa, he urged his supporters to remain patient, affirming their belief in victory. Prior to the election, numerous opposition and rights groups accused President Mnangagwa of silencing dissent amidst rising tensions due to a currency crisis, skyrocketing food prices, a deteriorating public health system, and a lack of formal employment opportunities.
Despite the disruptions and challenges, President Mnangagwa expressed confidence in winning the election. Drawing from his close ties to Mugabe, he has attempted to present himself as a reformer. However, critics argue that his administration is equally repressive. Zimbabwe has been subject to United States and European Union sanctions for the past two decades due to allegations of human rights abuses, a claim refuted by the governing party. Mnangagwa has echoed Mugabe’s rhetoric, accusing the West of seeking to oust his regime.
Although invited by the government to observe the polls, the Carter Center expressed concern as 30 members of its 48-member observer team were not accredited on the eve of the elections. Furthermore, local human rights activists, including lawyers and a clergyman critical of the government, were denied observation accreditation, as were several foreign journalists. The decision by Zimbabwe to deny accreditation to these individuals has been condemned by the United States State Department.
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