The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa has been declared winner of Monday’s Presidential election.
He beat his main rival from the opposition party the MDC, Nelson Chamisa who came second.
President Mnangagwa secured 50.8 percent of the votes while MDC’s Chamisa obtained 44.3 percent of total votes.
The chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Priscilla Chigumba made the declaration on Thursday night.
Opposition MDC spokesperson Morgan Komichi has denounced the election results describing them as “fake”.
“The results that have been announced have not been verified by us… so the results are fake,” Komichi said.
The Zanu-PF which Mnangagwa represents had earlier won majority of the seats in the parliamentary elections.
Mnangagwa, 75 became President last year after his former boss, Robert Mugabe resigned.
Mugabe was forced out of power after a military takeover which many believe was masterminded by Mnangagwa.
Thank you Zimbabwe!
I am humbled to be elected President of the Second Republic of Zimbabwe.
Though we may have been divided at the polls, we are united in our dreams.
This is a new beginning. Let us join hands, in peace, unity & love, & together build a new Zimbabwe for all! pic.twitter.com/FbdrixAktR
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) August 2, 2018
The former deputy of Mugabe after becoming president promised reforms including ensuring a free and fair election.
Several election observers were allowed into the country for the election.
Despite a peaceful electoral process on Monday, violence erupted on Wednesday after soldiers clashed with opposition supporters.
The MDC supporters were disputing the election results but the soldiers shot into them killing six people.
Breakdown of results from 10 provinces
- Harare province: Nelson Chamisa – 548, 848 votes , Emmerson Mnangagwa – 204, 710 votes.
- Masvingo province: Nelson Chamisa – 117, 196 votes, Emmerson Mnangagwa – 319, 073 votes.
- Mashonaland East province: Nelson Chamisa – 189, 024 votes, Emmerson Mnangagwa – 334, 617 votes.
- Matebeleland South: Nelson Chamisa – 90, 292 votes, Emmerson Mnangagwa – 107, 008 votes.
- Bulawayo Metropolitan province: Nelson Chamisa – 144, 160 votes, Emmerosn Mnangagwa – 60, 168 votes.
- Matebeleland North: Nelson Chamisa – 137, 611 votes, Emmerson Mnangagwa – 111, 452 votes.
- Mashonaland Central Province: Nelson Chamisa – 97, 097 votes, Emmerson Mnangagwa – 366, 785 votes.
- Midlands province: Nelson Chamisa – 255, 059 votes, Emmerson Mnangagwa – 350, 754 votes.
- Manicaland: Nelson Chamisa – 296, 429 votes, Emmerson Mnangagwa – 292, 938 votes.
- Mashonaland West: Nelson Chamisa – 217, 732 votes, Emmerson Mnangagwa – 312, 958 votes
Who is Mnangagwa?
Emmerson Mnangagwa who used to be Mugabe’s deputy is known as “the crocodile” because of his political posture within the ruling Zanu PF party.
He received military training in China and Egypt and helped coordinate Zimbabwe’s war of independence in the 1960s and 1970s.
In the 1980s, Mnangagwa became Zimbabwe’s chief spy during a civil war which claimed thousands of lives. He was accused of playing a role in the massacre which he denied.
Historic election
The elections have been held for the first time without the involvement of the former President, Robert Mugabe who led the country to independence.
Source: Africafeeds.com
