Zimbabwe’s 2023 General Elections: All you need to know

Zimbabweans will be heading to the polls on the 23^rd of August 2023 to elect councilors, members of parliament, and a president who will steer the affairs of the country for the next five years. Despite Zimbabwe being a multi-party state, elections have often been reported to be unfair, unfree, and stained with corruption and dirty tricks. As the election day inches closer, the African Elections Project (AEP) puts together all you need to know in this article.

How will the elections work?

Aside from the presidential race, the country will also be choosing 210 members of the National Assembly. Voting is expected to take place on the 23^rd of August 2023 although some service personnel such as security officers on duty will be made to cast their ballot before voting day.

Diplomats currently not in the country will be able to vote by post but Zimbabweans living abroad would not be able to vote. However, most citizens would be eligible to vote and are expected to register using the biometric registration system.

The Senate, National Assembly, and Provincial Councils seats will be assigned based on proportional representation.

If a presidential candidate fails to surpass the 50% threshold there will be a run-off held on 2^nd October.

Who is contesting?

According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, 12 candidates have been approved as being eligible to run for the presidency. However, two candidates stand tall in this vote. They are Incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, from the governing Zanu-PF party, and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, from the Citizen's Coalition for Change (CCC).

The other candidates are Saviour Kasukuwere - an Independent candidate ( whose candidature is being challenged in court at the time of publishing this article), Lovemore Madhuku of the  National Constitutional Assembly, Trust Chikohora standing on the ticket of the Zimbabwe Coalition for Peace and Development, Elisabeth Valerio of the United Zimbabwe Alliance Party,  Douglas Mwonzora of the Movement for Democratic Change Party,  Joseph Makamba Bush of the Free Zim congress,  Blessing Kasiyamhuru representing the  Zimbabwe Partnership,  Wilbert Mubaiwa of the National People's Congress leader,  Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa standing on the ticket of the United African National Council and Peter Harry Wilson of the Democratic Opposition Party.

Eligibility is dependent on several factors including the payment of $20,000, which has already disqualified several aspirants. Candidates are also expected to be registered as a voter and ordinarily reside in Zimbabwe for a given period of time.

 

What are the main issues?

In Zimbabwe, the rising cost of living continues to be a major concern for citizens. For instance, in the 12 months leading up to May this year, prices of goods and services rose by 86.5%, one of the highest annual inflation rates in the world. Additionally, businesses are struggling to cope with crippling power outages and an unstable local currency, which lost 86% of its value between January and early June. Moreover, corruption sits at the top of voters’ concerns.

 

Will the elections be free and fair?

Given Zimbabwe’s past elections, it would be difficult to assume that the next election would be declared free and fair by all stakeholders.

Previous elections were undeniably corrupt, violent, and rigged to favor Mugabe’s nearly 40-year reign. The 2018 election which was the first election after the former independence leader’s resignation, though less violent was still reported by several election monitors as having a blemished electoral roll, voter intimidation, a biased electoral commission, and ballot paper malpractice.

While Zimbabweans hope this election will be more free and fair than the previous ones, it might not go without controversies and disputes. Already, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has been accused of endorsing country demarcations without following the proper procedures. This has led to squabbling within the commission causing some officials to abdicate duty forcing the Chairperson (and deputy) to announce that they would be solely responsible for the commission’s communications.

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