Zimbabwe has decided to extend the voting period for selected wards by an additional day, continuing today (Thursday), due to delays in distributing ballot papers that caused polling disruptions. This decision was made through a presidential decree issued late Wednesday.
On the previous day, voters across the southern African nation encountered lengthy wait times as they queued to cast their votes. Many expressed their desire for change from the prevailing economic turmoil. However, experts cast doubts on whether the ruling ZANU-PF party would permit a legitimate election or any relaxation of its firm control over the government.
It’s worth noting that according to Zimbabwean law, voting is intended to occur within a single day.
The presidential notice outlined 40 wards that experienced these delays. While these specific areas account for less than 1% of the country’s total of 12,374 wards, they encompass 11 wards within the capital city, Harare, which holds the highest number of registered voters.
In an announcement from President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the affected wards are located within three of Zimbabwe’s provinces: Harare (an opposition stronghold), Mashonaland Central (traditionally dominated by the ruling party), and Manicaland (a pivotal battleground).
Mnangagwa is seeking re-election after his initial term marked by rampant inflation, currency shortages, and soaring unemployment, which forced many Zimbabweans to rely on financial help from relatives abroad.
Having taken office following the removal of long-standing leader Robert Mugabe in a 2017 military coup, Mnangagwa, aged 80, is facing competition from 10 other candidates. His primary opponent is Nelson Chamisa, a 45-year-old lawyer and pastor leading the Citizens Coalition for Change.
Mabel Fambi, 67, who supports her five grandchildren due to their parents’ joblessness, voiced her anticipation for change as she waited to cast her vote in the Kuwadzana constituency of Harare.
In both Harare and the second-largest city, Bulawayo, both known as opposition strongholds, numerous polling stations commenced operations several hours behind schedule, leading voters to endure prolonged waits.
Fortune Sikireta, who had been waiting to vote since early morning at Maranatha Christian High School, regarded the delay as a deliberate effort to disenfranchise voters.
The electoral commission attributed these delays to the late printing of ballot papers, a consequence of legal challenges. Their morning statement revealed that only 23% of Harare’s polling stations had opened on time.
In contrast, few or no delays were reported in other regions of the country.
Analysts pointed out that, as observed in previous Zimbabwean elections, the ruling ZANU-PF party, which has held power for over four decades, was leveraging state institutions to ensure its continued dominance.
Zimbabwe’s ability to address its debt crisis and secure loans from entities like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund hangs in the balance. Foreign lenders have emphasized that a genuinely fair election is a prerequisite for meaningful negotiations.
As polls opened at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and were set to close at 7 p.m., around 6.6 million registered voters out of a population of approximately 15 million were expected to participate. Preliminary parliamentary results were anticipated to emerge on Thursday morning, with the presidential outcome following later, well in advance of a five-day deadline.
Nelson Chamisa was greeted by enthusiastic supporters chanting his name as he arrived to cast his vote. He expressed confidence in his victory but anticipated resistance from the ruling party and the electoral commission.
President Mnangagwa cast his vote at Sherwood Primary School in Kwekwe.
Zimbabwe has experienced an 85% drop in the value of its currency since the beginning of 2023, coupled with triple-digit inflation. This has exacerbated poverty in a country where formal employment is held by only 30% of the population.
Five years into Mnangagwa’s tenure, conditions in Zimbabwe have not significantly improved compared to the Mugabe era, according to Africa Risk Consulting.
The Economist Intelligence Unit projected that Mnangagwa and ZANU-PF would secure victory by a narrower margin and through questionable means, heightening the likelihood of result-related disputes and public protests.
To secure the presidency, a candidate must garner more than 50% of the total vote. If no candidate achieves an outright majority, a run-off between the top two candidates is scheduled for October 2.
Both parliamentary and local council candidates only need a simple majority of votes to secure their positions.
Stay tuned for more updates from Federal Character News on the rescheduled election.
