Zimbabwe conducted its presidential and parliamentary elections on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, with balloting continuing an extra day in certain locations because of logistical challenges. President Emmerson Mnangagwa faced opposition leader Nelson Chamisa, who represented the newly formed Citizens Coalition for Change party. The campaign period featured accusations of state media bias favoring the incumbent and reports that security forces disrupted opposition gatherings. Electoral authorities failed to release mandated voter registration lists and polling site details before the vote.
Polling stations in urban opposition strongholds experienced substantial ballot delivery delays, forcing many citizens to queue overnight while others departed without casting votes. Rural districts saw voter intimidation by a secretive organization called Forever Associates Zimbabwe, and police detained numerous election observers. International monitoring groups from the European Union, Commonwealth, and notably the Southern African Development Community and the African Union raised concerns about the process.
Authorities announced Mnangagwa secured nearly 53 percent against Chamisa's 44 percent, prompting the opposition to demand a new election. The president began his second term on Monday, September 4, 2023. ZANU-PF retained approximately two-thirds of National Assembly seats while capturing just over half the Senate positions.
Polling stations in urban opposition strongholds experienced substantial ballot delivery delays, forcing many citizens to queue overnight while others departed without casting votes. Rural districts saw voter intimidation by a secretive organization called Forever Associates Zimbabwe, and police detained numerous election observers. International monitoring groups from the European Union, Commonwealth, and notably the Southern African Development Community and the African Union raised concerns about the process.
Authorities announced Mnangagwa secured nearly 53 percent against Chamisa's 44 percent, prompting the opposition to demand a new election. The president began his second term on Monday, September 4, 2023. ZANU-PF retained approximately two-thirds of National Assembly seats while capturing just over half the Senate positions.
