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2002-2023

A graphic timeline of Zimbabwe’s contentious elections

A graphic timeline of  Zimbabwe’s contentious elections
The face of Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's president, adorns a supports t-shirt during a Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (ZANUPF) rally at the National Stadium in Harare, Zimbabwe, on 28 July 2018. (Photo: Waldo Swiegers / Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In what has become a familiar pattern, there were arrests and allegations of violence, intimidation and voting irregularities after Zimbabweans went to the polls on August 23, 2023.

A timeline of the past four elections, and the elections of 2023:

zimbabwe at the polls

Zimbabwean voters cast their ballots to elect Zimbabwe’s president, council representatives and members of Parliament, during elections on August 23, 2023. Polling was extended into a second day in selected wards amid administrative delays. 

The election was held against the backdrop of the major issues plaguing the country: citizens enmeshed in never-ending poverty; a failing education system; a fragile healthcare system; and a declining economy. 

It was the second general election since a 2017 coup deposed Robert Mugabe, who led the southern African country for 37 years. He was replaced by the current leader of Zanu-PF and incumbent president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is seeking a second term.  

Mnangagwa went head to head against Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the official opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), who hopes to break the governing party’s 43-year rule. 

Read more in Daily Maverick: Zimbabwe Elections 2023

DM

This article was amended and updated on August 28, 2023. 

 

 

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