Amid the aftermath of last week's election in Zimbabwe, the opposition has voiced serious accusations against the ruling party, citing what they call "blatant and enormous fraud." This follows allegations of voter intimidation and a government crackdown on dissenting voices.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, whose members are appointed by the president, announced late Saturday that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had secured a second five-year term with over 52 percent of the vote. In contrast, opposition candidate Nelson Chamisa received just 44 percent of the vote. The elections, which took place on Wednesday and extended into Thursday, were marred by delays in some regions, including the capital, Harare, where ballots did not arrive on time.
Chamisa expressed his outrage on social media, stating, "They stole your voice and vote but never your hope. It's a blatant and gigantic fraud."
In a subsequent news conference, Chamisa asserted that Zimbabwe was trapped in a "vicious cycle of disputed elections." He accused Mnangagwa, who assumed power following a military takeover in 2017, of orchestrating a "coup" against the electoral process.
Chamisa addressed Mnangagwa directly, saying, "You are not the last Zimbabwean; you are not the only Zimbabwean. We are all Zimbabweans, we all count. We all matter, and we will make sure we take our stand."
However, under Zimbabwe's constitution, candidates wishing to challenge the final results must file a petition with the constitutional court within seven days of the commission declaring a winner. Chamisa did not explicitly pledge to contest the results but instead emphasized that his party, the Citizens Coalition for Change, and its supporters had multiple avenues to pursue their objectives.
This disputed election occurs at a challenging time for Zimbabwe, with skyrocketing inflation and rampant corruption, largely stemming from years of economic mismanagement during the tenure of former president Robert Mugabe, the founder of ZANU-PF.
Mugabe ruled for 37 years before being ousted in a coup that ushered in Mnangagwa's leadership. Mnangagwa promised to address Zimbabwe's dire economic issues, but inflation and unemployment persist at alarming levels, and high-profile figures in his circle have faced corruption charges.
In late 2022, the United States imposed sanctions on four individuals, including Mnangagwa's son, for corruption and undermining democracy in Zimbabwe.
The U.S. Treasury Department stated, "We urge the Zimbabwean government to take meaningful steps toward creating a peaceful, prosperous, and politically vibrant Zimbabwe, and to address the root causes of many of Zimbabwe's ills: corrupt elites and their abuse of the country's institutions for their personal benefit."
Farai Mukupete, a Zimbabwean diaspora member residing in Britain and a Chamisa supporter, expressed deep distress over what he described as a "stolen election." He criticized Mnangagwa for what he perceived as self-enrichment at the expense of the country's resources. Mukupete noted that some Zimbabweans were beginning to view Mugabe more favorably than the current president, despite their previous disdain for Mugabe's later years in power.
Outside observers, including the European Union, have criticized Zimbabwean authorities for creating an atmosphere of fear around the election, characterized by voter intimidation and the arrest of independent monitors ahead of the polls.
The E.U. mission stated, "During the election process, fundamental freedoms were increasingly curtailed ... which resulted in a climate of fear. The election process fell short of many regional and international standards, including equality, universality, and transparency."
Nkululeko Sibanda, a campaign worker for Chamisa in Harare, described disorganization and violations he witnessed at polling centers as "shocking." He recounted arguments with election officials who claimed they lacked sufficient ink to stamp the ballots, a requirement for validation.
In response to the allegations, President Mnangagwa denied engaging in fraud and celebrated his victory as a "testament to the power of unity and progress," pledging to continue building a brighter future for Zimbabwe.