APA-Harare (Zimbabwe) President Emmerson Mnangagwa has proclaimed August 23 as the date on which Zimbabweans will go to polls to choose a president, parliamentarians and local government councillors.
In a statutory instrument gazetted on Wednesday, Mnangagwa also set October 2 as the day for a presidential runoff election in the event that there is no outright winner among the State House aspirants durinf the first round on August 23.
“By virtue of the powers vested in the President…, I do, by this proclamation, fix the 23rd day of Augus, 2023, as the day of the election to the office of President, the election of members of the National Assembly and election of councillors,” Mnangagwa said.
The Zimbabwean, who is 80 and is seeking another term of office, also announced that the nomination court would sit on June 21 at the High Court to register candidates.
He is expected to face the stiff challenge of youthful main opposition leader Nelson Chamisa whose Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) welcomed the proclamation, saying it was ready to “exert every effort towards achieving a resounding victory.”
“A robust win and a staunch defence of that triumph will set the stage for the emergence of a New Great Zimbabwe that caters to everyone’s needs,” the party said.
The elections come as Zimbabwe is battling a worsening economic and political crisis marked by spiralling food prices and tension between Mnangagwa’s ZANU PF and the CCC.
JN/APA