---
title: "A graphic timeline of Zimbabwe's contentious elections"
description: "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."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "2002-2023"
author: "Nonkululeko Njilo"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/nonkululeko-njilo/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-25-zimbabwe-election-graphic-timeline-its-deja-vu/"
published: "2023-08-25T00:01:28"
updated: "2023-08-28T15:18:40"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 166
---

# A graphic timeline of Zimbabwe's contentious elections

> 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.

By Nonkululeko Njilo · Published 25 August 2023, 02:01 SAST · Updated 28 August 2023, 17:18 SAST

## Key points
- As Zimbabweans cast their votes in the second election since the 2017 coup, the country is again marred by violence, intimidation and arrests, casting doubt on the credibility of a free and fair electoral process.
- Zimbabwe's 6 million registered voters cast ballots to elect president, council representatives and members of Parliament
- The election is held against a backdrop of poverty, failing education system, fragile healthcare system and declining economy
- Incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa is up against Nelson Chamisa, leader of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)
- Despite a peace pact signed by major parties, activists have been arrested and violence has occurred

## Content

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

![zimbabwe at the polls](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/zim-elections-history-2.jpg)

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](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/zimbabwe-2023-elections/)

**DM**

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

[YouTube video: "YouTube video"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZCNLrmZX4U)