The incumbent President of Zimbabwe received just over half of the votes. This confirms his second term. The opposition doubts the result – election observers speak of violence and attempts at intimidation.
Supporters of the ruling party celebrated in small groups in the capital, Harare, during the night. Earlier in the evening, Priscilla Makanyara Chigumba, chair of the electoral commission, reported the results: “Emmerson Mnangagwa of the ZANU-PF party received 2,350,711 votes.” That is more than half of the valid votes cast in the presidential elections. “Therefore, Mnangagwa is proclaimed by ZANU-PF party as the duly elected President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.”
According to electoral law, more than half of the votes mean that no runoff election is necessary. The newly re-elected President, 80-year-old Mnangagwa, announced this morning what his government’s priorities will be: “My new government will work to improve the food supply in Zimbabwe, that’s the top priority. We’re also lucky that Zimbabwe is rich in natural resources. We will continue to create a favorable investment climate in the country.”
Opposition doubts election result
So far, his party has not much to show for it. Zimbabwe is relatively isolated because Western investors avoid working with Mnangagwa’s government, partly because of democracy deficits. On the other hand, according to ZANU-PF, the country benefits from its relations with BRICS countries. During the night, the largest opposition party, the CCC, translated as “Citizens’ Coalition for Change,” declared that it doubted the election results.
Christopher Mutsvangwa, spokesman for the ruling ZANU-PF party, said he was unimpressed at a press conference at noon. According to him, everyone is free to sue against the result. “When someone goes to court and uses the system to get clarity about whatever is troubling them, it’s a stress test for democracy. It means judgments are being made and with them we’re improving our democracy. It’s right and appropriate for people to go to court,” said the party spokesman.
Election Observer: Not free and fair
In their preliminary reports, election observers from Africa had criticized the circumstances of the election, saying it was not free and fair. The European Union’s chief observer, Fabio Massimo Castaldo, also states: “The adoption of regressive legal provisions as well as acts of violence and attempts at intimidation ultimately led to a climate of fear.”
Ultimately, the elections would not have met many regional and international standards. This included the “core principles of equality, uniformity, transparency and accountability”.
“Rights were systematically violated”
Savior Kasukuwere used to be part of the ZANU-PF government himself. He wanted to run in this election as an independent presidential candidate, but was not allowed to. He takes a similar view and criticized in an interview with Newzroom Africa: “The people had to vote on empty stomachs and with fear. It’s not as if they were enthusiastic about Emmerson Mnangagwa. But their rights were systematically violated.”
Kasukuwere said Zimbabwe is in a military environment, there is a climate of violence and fear reigns supreme. “I know the election observers’ reports highlight a very crucial element – in dealing with the repression that is now entrenched in Zimbabwe’s political system.”
According to recent laws, anyone who criticizes the ruling party is liable to prosecution. Even before the election, human rights organizations had complained that freedom of expression was restricted, opposition parties were intimidated and the election commission was filled with people close to the ruling party. Zimbabwe’s economy has been in a deep crisis for a long time. Unemployment is high and inflation is one of the highest in the world.