Zimbabweans on Monday began voting in a historic election, the first since former President Robert Mugabe resigned from office.
5 million voters are expected to participate in the voting process to choose a new leader.
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75 years old is leading the ruling Zanu-PF.
He is facing the biggest opposition in 40-year-old Nelson Chamisa who is the leader of the opposition MDC party.
Considered the biggest and crucial election in Zimbabwe’s political history, the two rivals will be seeking the mandate to re-galvanize the country.
Why is the election crucial?
The elections are coming months after the former President, Robert Mugabe exited power after a military takeover.
Celebrating Zimbabwean democracy.
The voice of the people is the voice of God! pic.twitter.com/Qdv79bAHh3
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) July 30, 2018
Victory is ours!Long winding queues in most parts of Harare.There seems to be a deliberate attempt to suppress and frustrate the Urban vote. Good turn out but the people’s will being negated & undetermined due to these deliberate & unnecessary delays.We are in because #Godisinit
— Nelson Chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) July 30, 2018
The younger generation who have known Mugabe all their lives are demanding a new era. They will be crucial in deciding who wins.
Long queues with patient #Zimbabwe voters at the stadium in Mutare. #ELECTIONSZW #ZimElections2018 #ZimDecides2018 @UKinZimbabwe pic.twitter.com/yc3LjaSSmZ
— Joost van der Zwan (@DFID_Joost) July 30, 2018
#Zimbabwedecides2018 polling stations open in 30 minutes. This is in Mbare, a suburb in Harare. My colleague @MalcolmWebb is in Matabeleland #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/tgrbgP1NlS
— harumutasa/aljazeera (@harumutasa) July 30, 2018
EARLY BIRDS #Zimbabwe rural voters braving the chilly morning weather to cast their votes #ElectionsZW pic.twitter.com/pCV7l7rCF6
— Reagan Mashavave (@ReaganMashavave) July 30, 2018
51 year old Sibongile Ncube (white hat) says she voted for change today#ZimElections2018 #ZimDecides2018 #ElectionsZW #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/n6he6dddJa
— Povo Zim (@povozim) July 30, 2018
Voting queue at Kenmaur polling station in Lupane East#ZimElections2018 #ZimDecides2018 #ElectionsZW #Zimbabwe pic.twitter.com/9VCE154Uss
— Povo Zim (@povozim) July 30, 2018
But attracting these young people won’t come easy since they demand real change in the Southern African nation.
What the candidates promised
President Mnangagwa who is leading the Zanu-PF into the elections has campaigned promising new focus for the country.
(AP Photo/Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi)
He has promised to transform the economy and tackle corruption. But many doubt he can do things differently from what happened under Robert Mugabe.
His rival Chamisa of the opposition MDC is also pledging to revive the economy that has taken a nose dive.
Chamisa doesn’t think Mnangagwa holds the key to taking Zimbabwe to the next level.
Too close to call
A poll released before the elections predicted that the results will be too close to call.
An Afrobarometer poll says there will be no clear winner. It said President Mnangagwa is likely to secure 40 percent of voters. His opponent Chamisa is tipped to secure 37 percent of votes.
Zimbabwe election rules provide for a run-off if no presidential candidate receives more than 50 percent of the vote. A run-off could be held on September 8.
Source: Africafeeds.com
