Zimbabwe heads to the polls in August against a backdrop of one of the world's highest rates of inflation and accusations of an intensifying crackdown on the opposition.In the run-up to the vote, questions linger over how free and fair the ballot will be in a country that is trying to rehabilitate its image.Zimbabweans will vote on 23 August to elect councillors, members of parliament, and a president.
Other contenders include Saviour Kasukuwere - an exiled former Mugabe ally, Douglas Mwonzora, the MDC's new leader, businesswoman Elisabeth Valerio, whose United Zimbabwe Alliance Party was launched in March 2022, and US-based businessman Robert Chapman - however the chances of any of them winning are slim.Zanu-PF has the advantage of incumbency, state power and access to state resources.
Furthermore, human rights activists say that in the past Zanu-PF has used various tactics to stay in power, including violence and intimidation, state-media blackouts and negative coverage of the opposition. Zanu-PF has previously denied using dirty tricks against its opponents.The cost-of-living crisis continues to be at the core of voters' concerns, with the last three years having been some of the worst in a decade. In the 12 months leading up to May this year, prices rose by 86.
In the presidential race, however, a candidate needs more than 50% of the vote to be declared the winner, otherwise there will be a run-off election between the top two.By law the presidential election results must be announced within five days after voting ends.Civil society groups and the opposition doubt that polls will be free or fair. They cite what they say has been a systemic crackdown on government critics.
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