Early voting begins in Zimbabwe, here’s what you need to know

Voting in Zimbabwe’s 2023 General election begun at 7am and will run until 7pm with 6.6 million registered voters expected to participate in the exercise across 12,340 polling stations in its 10 provinces to elect a President, Members of Parliament and councilors.

This is the ninth general election since Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980.

Ten Presidential candidates among them one woman are on the ballot after official opposition leader Douglas Mwonzora of Movement for Democratic Change, MDC-T withdrew from the race claiming lack of conducive environment for a free, fair and transparent election.

45 year old Nelson Chamisa of Citizens Coalition for Change-CCC who is an advocate and a pastor is the main opposition candidate.

The incumbent President Emerson Mnangagwa 80 who is seeking a second term, came to power in 2018 following the ouster of late President Robert Mugabe by military generals in November 2017. Mugabe had been in power since Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980.

The presidential election is a political rematch between the incumbent Mnangagwa and Chamisa who came second in 2018 with 44.3% while Mnangagwa was announced winner with 50.8% which was disputed.

According to Zimbabwe constitution, a winner must obtain 50% of votes cast failure to which a repeat election between top two candidates shall be held within sixty days. In 2008, a repeat election was held between President Robert Mugabe and official opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai after the first round failed to yield a 50% threshold. Tsvangirai had won the first round with 47.8% with Mugabe landing 43.2%. However, Tsvangirai pulled out of the repeat poll following massive violence that marred the election process.

Key issues in the election are the economy, chocking inflation which stands at 176% as of June,unemployment and fate of Zimbabwe dollar which was reintroduced in 2019 after a decade of dolarization and has depreciated by more than 80% now. One US$ is equivalent to 3000 Zimbabwe dollars.

Incumbent President Emerson Mnangagwa who served in Mugabe administration as minister then later as vice president from 2013 to 2017 before being declared winner in 2018 tight contest, says his government has created many opportunities in the economy leading to heavy investments in key sectors of mining and agriculture and wants to build more on that.

On the other hand, youthful Chamisa is promising to resuscitate the ailing economy,fight corruption and end Zimbabwe’s isolation by returning it to the international community of nations. Various sanctions were imposed on mineral rich Southern Africa country during Mugabe’s reign.

Do you love solving puzzles?

Join our community and solve the Puzzling fun with our range of crosswords

image of various puzzles image of background wavy graphic

AM Live

AM Live is NTV's morning current affairs show that sets the agenda for the day with insightful panels every weekday.

Business Redefined

Business Redefined is Kenya’s premier thought leadership platform for unpacking matters regarding economic and finance policy as well demystifying complex developments in the region’s capital markets.

Daily Politics

This is Daily Politics. Here we look into the ins and outs of everything Kenyan politics. We pull no punches and have no reason to sugarcoat anything that matters to Kenyans.

Entertainment

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Full Episodes

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Gumzo La Sato

Gumzo La Sato is a live social issues show that aims to create awareness about issues affecting the larger society. The discussions range from Parenting, Marital bliss and struggles, Oppression, violence, and all matters of the Heart.

Health Diary

Health Diary is a weekly show that highlights different types of diseases/conditions and seeks ways to prevent, treat/manage them. The show debunks this through real life stories and also feature specialists in different fields, to offer medical advice on the same.

Letter To My Younger Self

Letter To My Younger Self is a podcast where guests get to write a letter to their younger self, from which Maxine formulates questions to ask them during the hour-long show.

Mazao Talks

Mazao looks at agriculture and agribusiness

Nation Reports

Nation Reports is a weekly podcast offers an opportunity for listeners to interact with various reporters and journey with them as they unravel the biggest most emotive stories.

Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost peeks through the story of Louis Otieno, the times, and everything in between.

Podcasts

Podcasts

Speaking of GEN Z

Speaking of Gen Z brings you entertaining but meaningful conversations about a generation that is trying to navigate through adulthood. Join hosts Michelle, Jackie and Esther as they unravel all things Gen Z.

SportOn

Sport-On is a 30-minute sports magazine show on NTV and 3 hours on NATION FM. The show seeks to give the sports “fanatics” and “funatics” comprehensive and in-depth coverage of sports both locally and internationally.

Thamani

Thamani is a business show which is dedicated to emerging issues regarding micro, small and medium size businesses.

The Trend

A two-hour-long live show that airs on Fridays. The show focuses on what is current in the entertainment industry, controversial and popular across all media platforms targeting those aged between 25 and 35 years.

The trend podcast

The trend podcast highlights and captures the best of banter from #TTTT segment that airs every Friday on NTV. It's the TTTT EXTRA

The Wicked Edition

The Wicked Edition with Dr. King’ori seeks to address serious issues through humour and relatable wit. It is a two-part half hour show filmed in front of a live audience

Trending

A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula A collection of our premium content. Diam curabitur vehicula

Twende

Twende is a travel show that highlights beautiful, unique, diverse locations, people, and cultures. The show offers fresh perspectives on familiar locations and memorable experiences in new ones.

Unscripted

This Saturday evening lifestyle show lets viewers share their stories and life experiences as openly & honestly for the purpose of shifting the culture of silence.

VIP Access

VIP ACCESS is Anyiko Owoko’s YouTube and podcast show on Music and Culture dedicated to promoting Africa’s most promising talent and creatives. This podcast grants you VIP access into timeless interviews while providing a platform for rising as well as established artists across the continent. Since launching in 2018, Anyiko has interviewed over 70 African music stars.

WADR

This weekly news show aims to have all sides of debate but not be constrained by it, listen to main voices in the contest but not allow them to hold the viewers hostage, entertain debate but allow push back with all due respect.

When death do us part

In this podcast, three widowers openly speak about the process of grief, how they found themselves exposed to the emotional turmoil of losing their wives, and how society still does not know how to deal with them.

Your World

Your World is a health, wellness and variety show. It provides a platform for audiences and experts to share their experiences on how to improve or manage health issues, across Kenya and the Africa region.