Zimbabwe presidential and parliamentary polls set for August 23

President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced on Wednesday that Zimbabwe will hold its presidential and parliamentary elections on August 23, as the southern African country battles a raging economic crisis.

Mnangagwa, elected president in 2018 after a military coup that deposed President Robert Mugabe the previous year, is seeking a second term in office.

The 80-year-old’s main rival is lawyer and pastor Nelson Chamisa, 45, who leads the newly formed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).

The announcement through a government gazette also set October 2 for a presidential run-off vote if required.

Apart from the presidency, the election will also decide the composition of the 300-seat parliament and close to 2,000 local council positions.

The election proclamation comes amid parliamentary debates over electoral reforms.