Harare, 27 Aug, 2023 (GNP): Zimbabwe’s incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa has emerged victorious in a closely watched election, clinching a second term with over 52 percent of the total vote, as confirmed by the country’s electoral commission.
Presidential elections results pic.twitter.com/2Ny923eP6t
— Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (@ZECzim) August 26, 2023
Mnangagwa, who assumed leadership following a 2017 army coup that led to the departure of long-time ruler Robert Mugabe, was widely anticipated to secure re-election amidst a political landscape that analysts suggested favored the ruling party.
Mnangagwa’s main contender, Nelson Chamisa, leader of the opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) party, secured approximately 44 percent of the presidential vote, according to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.
This electoral victory marks a continuation of Mnangagwa’s presidency, having narrowly prevailed over Chamisa in the previous presidential election of 2018. Despite allegations of electoral manipulation raised by the opposition, the constitutional court upheld the outcome of the 2018 election.
The ruling party, ZANU-PF, helmed by Mnangagwa, has maintained its position of power for over four decades since the country’s independence from Britain in 1980.
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While the lead-up to the recent election has been largely devoid of violence, instances of opposition rallies being prohibited and the arrest of opposition supporters using stringent public order laws by the police have been reported. ZANU-PF has refuted accusations of holding an unfair advantage or attempting to influence election outcomes through rigging.
In light of these developments, the head of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) remarked on Friday that the recent vote transpired within an atmosphere of apprehension and unease. Similarly, the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) mission noted concerns including delays in the voting process, restrictions on holding rallies, and a perceived bias in state media coverage.
Mnangagwa, who assumed leadership in the wake of Mugabe’s departure, has garnered international attention during his tenure. His victory in this election, coupled with previous electoral outcomes, highlights the complex dynamics and ongoing challenges that shape Zimbabwe’s political landscape.