Zimbabwe election: First vote without Mugabe - BBC News

July 30, 2018.

 Zimbabwe election: First vote without Mugabe
TopicsZimbabwe election 2018

Why Zimbabwe's election is historic
Voters in Zimbabwe are going to the polls in the country's first election without the involvement of long-time leader Robert Mugabe.

The country's founding president, Mr Mugabe, was ousted last year after almost four decades in power.

The main contenders in the presidential vote are incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, of the ruling Zanu-PF party, and opposition leader Nelson Chamisa.

Parliamentary and local elections are also taking place on Monday.

Polls give Mr Mnangagwa, thought to be 75, a narrow lead over his 40-year-old rival, who leads the MDC (Movement for Democratic Change) Alliance.

On Sunday, Mr Mugabe - who first came to power after independence in 1980 - said he would not vote for his successor.

The country is expecting a high turnout of first-time voters. Younger voters are expected to be key - almost half of those registered are under the age of 35.

Hundreds of international observers have been deployed to ensure the vote goes smoothly, but the opposition has repeatedly alleged irregularities in the voter roll.

They have also expressed concern over the security of ballot papers and voter intimidation in mainly rural areas.

Mr Mnangagwa helped direct Zimbabwe's war of independence in the 1960s and 1970s
Known as "the crocodile" because of his political shrewdness - his party faction is known as "Lacoste"
Accused of masterminding attacks on opposition supporters after the 2008 election
Thought to be 75 years old, he promises to deliver jobs, and is seen as open to economic reforms
Survived several alleged assassination attempts, blamed on supporters of ex-President Mugabe
The 'crocodile' who snapped back

Nelson Chamisa, MDC Alliance

Mr Chamisa could become Zimbabwe's youngest ever president if elected
His skull was fractured when beaten up by state security agents in 2007
Became an MP at 25, a cabinet minister at 31 and could become the youngest president at 40
A recently qualified pastor, he has been using the hashtag #GodIsInIt for his campaign
Has promised to rebuild the country's devastated economy, but has been criticised for making extravagant promises - such as the introduction of a high-speed bullet train and bringing the Olympics to Zimbabwe
The crusader taking on Zimbabwe's 'crocodile'

The election follows decades of repressive rule which have brought severe economic challenges to Zimbabwe.

These include issues of investment, education, healthcare and jobs - some estimates suggest that the unemployment rate is as high as 90%.

Pumza Fihlani
@Pumza_Fihlani
 Leaving the polling station, 68-year-old Sam Nkomo told me “This is the first time I’m seeing people from foreign media here, things really must be changing. It’s good to see you here, the election will be good, maybe there won’t be violence”. I got choked up. #ZimbabweVotes

5:38 PM - Jul 30, 2018

As Mr Chamisa cast his vote on Monday, he told the BBC's Africa editor Fergal Keane: "We will win this election to the extent it's free and fair... it's a done deal."

On Sunday, Mr Mugabe gave a surprise news conference where he refused to support his former ally Mr Mnangagwa.

Robert Mugabe refused to back Emmerson Mnangagwa
Mr Mugabe, who resigned in November after the military took control of the country, said: "I cannot vote for those who tormented me... I hope the choice of voting tomorrow will thrust away the military government and bring us back to constitutionality,"

The 94-year-old indicated that Mr Chamisa was the only viable candidate.

In response to the comments, Mr Mnangagwa accused his former boss of making a deal with the opposition.

Have Zimbabwe's generals turned into democrats?
"It is clear to all that Chamisa has forged a deal with Mugabe, we can no longer believe that his intentions are to transform Zimbabwe and rebuild our nation," he said.

Mr Mugabe also denied that, as president, he had planned to hand the leadership to his wife, Grace, saying it was "utter nonsense".