Election Anxiety in Zimbabwe: Concerns Over Rigging and Violence Surround First Polls Since Mugabe’s Ouster
As Zimbabwe prepares for its first election since the removal of long-time leader Robert Mugabe, anxiety and fears of rigging and violence loom large. Despite the spectacle of huge crowds and the presence of boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr, the focus remains on the integrity of the polls.
The election, scheduled for Wednesday, will see incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa, representing the ruling Zanu-PF party, challenged by Nelson Chamisa of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and nine other candidates. With 6.62 million registered voters participating in the election, efforts are being made by a small online civic society group called Team Pachedu to monitor potential vote rigging.
Using an app called Mandla, meaning strength, Team Pachedu aims to track election results as they are released from polling stations and compare them with official figures. The group, primarily composed of Zimbabwean activists based outside the country, is concerned that Zanu-PF has remained in power for so long as a result of rigging.
The ruling party, however, vehemently denies allegations of election tampering, with party spokesman Chris Mutsvangwa emphasizing the government’s commitment to a clean and transparent election process. President Mnangagwa is eager to gain international approval in order to restructure Zimbabwe’s foreign debt and attract new lines of credit.
In an effort to rally support, Zanu-PF has employed various tactics during the campaign. The party has distributed fried chicken and chip meals to voters and handed out loaves of bread emblazoned with VoteED, a reference to President Mnangagwa’s initials. Thousands have flocked to party meetings to receive the food.
Adding to the drama, Floyd Mayweather Jr made a high-profile visit to Zimbabwe, conducting boxing drills and endorsing President Mnangagwa. Mayweather’s visit raised concerns about the impartiality of the campaigns.
Behind the grandeur and flamboyance, human rights organizations report an escalation in threats, intimidation, and violence. The Zimbabwe Peace Project documented 84 violations in the first two weeks of August alone. Among these incidents was the death of an opposition supporter during an ambush allegedly carried out by ruling party activists.
Director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, Jestina Mukoko, disclosed that the incidents involved arson, assaults, kidnapping threats, and intimidation, primarily perpetrated by Zanu-PF. She further accused state institutions, including the police, of involvement in violent crackdowns on rallies.
The police, however, blame the opposition for organizing rallies outside agreed-upon times and changing their routes. They assert that those responsible for the death of the CCC supporter have been arrested. Zanu-PF distanced itself from the violence, categorizing the perpetrators as criminals.
Nelson Chamisa, the main competitor to President Mnangagwa, has expressed reservations about the fairness of the election. He highlights the failure to implement promised reforms, such as an audited voters’ roll and equal access to state media. According to the Media Monitoring Project, Zanu-PF has received 62% of media coverage compared to the CCC’s 16%.
The election has become increasingly litigious, with over 100 court cases related to the disqualification of opposition candidates. Leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Douglas Mwonzora, has urged other opposition leaders to boycott the sham polls, citing a predetermined outcome.
Human rights activist Freeman Chari claims there are glaring anomalies in the voters’ roll, with millions of people relocated from their traditional voting areas in opposition strongholds. He points to certain polling stations reporting suspicious results, particularly in Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, and Masvingo. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) refutes these claims as baseless and malicious.
In a bid to ensure the integrity of the election, Team Pachedu is collaborating with partners, observers, and political parties to deploy volunteer agents to polling stations. Their app is designed to provide real-time monitoring of voting results and to prevent any potential unrest caused by disputed outcomes.
Both President Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa have campaigned on promises of improving the lives and opportunities of Zimbabweans. Chamisa’s manifesto, titled A New Great Zimbabwe, outlines plans to eradicate corruption, provide free education, and address the country’s economic challenges.
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa has chosen not to release a manifesto, instead emphasizing his track record and the progress being made in infrastructure development and investment. However, critics argue that inflation has surged to over 100% since he took office and accuse the government of enacting repressive legislation and silencing dissent.
As the election approaches, concerns about potential rigging and violence persist. It remains to be seen whether Zimbabwe can conduct a free and fair election that meets international standards, and whether the results will truly reflect the will of the people.
