Today Zimbabwe holds presidential and parliamentary elections on Monday in which the top two contenders, President Emmerson Mnangagwa and main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, have promised to revive an economy under Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule.
Zimbabwe’s former leader 94-year-old Robert Mugabe has refused to back his successor just a day before the country’s historic vote today. Mr. Mugabe addressed the nation for the first time since stepping down in November and declared that “I will not vote for those who have illegally taken power.”
Voting started at 7am and will end at 7pm. Vote tallying and counting starts immediately after the close of polls and results for council, parliament and president are posted outside each polling station.
A presidential candidate requires 50 percent plus one vote for an outright win. If no candidate gets that, a runoff will be held on 8 September between the top two contestants.
The country is in urgent need of healing. It appears a hunt on former leaders, economic hardship and anger are making leading this Southern African nation impossible.
IHE Ị GA-Ewepụ na edemede a:
- It may be a wise decision for a future president to announce a general amnesty and a fresh start for everyone.
- The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) will announce winners for parliament in their constituencies, while results for president will be announced at the commission’s headquarters in Harare within five days of voting.
- Having elections for the first time without Robert Mugabe as a candidate is a change several generations of Zimbabwean are getting used to.