PH
On Sunday (Aug. 27), Zimbabwe’s opposition leader Nelson Chamisa declared victory in the country’s election after contesting official results that showed President Emmerson Mnangagwa gaining a second term.
“The result clearly shows that we reject the election as a sham.” We dismiss the process itself, which is consistent with what the SADC observers have said. Based on the disputed numbers, we reject this phony conclusion and defective methodology.”
Observers reported an atmosphere of intimidation against voters.
The election observers expressed special concerns about a ruling party affiliate organization called Forever Associates of Zimbabwe, which they claimed set up tables at polling locations and collected information on persons entering into voting booths.
Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, who heads the African Union observer mission, said the FAZ’s acts should be considered “criminal offenses.”
In a preliminary statement issued on August 25, the SADC mission stated that various components of the election did not meet the standards of the Zimbabwean Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the SADC Principles and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections (2021).
“Mr Mnangagwa knows that he has performed a coup since 2008, a coup on the ballot, 2017, a coup on the elected leader. 2018, a coup on the ballot, he has repeated again, 2023, a coup on the ballot,” Chamisa said.
“You can’t survive this for far too many times. This time, no further. We’ve drawn a line in the sand, we will not allow you to abuse people.”
According to official figures, thhe 45-year old lawyer and pastor of the Citizens coalition for change won 44% vote as over 69% of registered voters cast a ballot.
“There is going to be change in Zimbabwe, whether Zanu-PF people want it or not. It’s not going to be easy but there shall be change. We will not wait for five years, there has to be change now and we are going to lead in making sure change comes to Zimbabwe, we put a full stop to this madness.”
People in the country of 15 million were bound to view the results with suspicion but Mnangagwa, 80, dismissed allegations of vote fraud.
“I did not conduct these elections. I think those who feel the race was not run properly know where to go to complain. I am so happy,” he said at a news conference Sunday, adding that the elections were run “transparently, fairly in broad daylight.”
Voting was extended last week into an extra day following a shortage of ballot papers, especially in opposition strongholds.
Chamisa had challenged his 2018 election loss to Mnangagwa, but that was rejected by the Constitutional Court.
