Zimbabweans are heading to the polls today, August 23, in their second election since a military coup in 2017 removed Robert Mugabe, who had been in power since the country’s independence in 1980.
Here are some key details about the election:
- There are 6.6 million registered voters in a total population of over 15 million. They will directly elect the president, 210 members of parliament, and 1,970 local elected representatives.
- The president must secure an absolute majority. If none of the candidates obtains 50% of the votes, a second round of voting will be held.
- Parliamentary and local council candidates only need to obtain a simple majority.
- There are eleven presidential candidates, including ten men and one woman. Over 600 candidates are running for parliament.
- Each presidential candidate paid $20,000 to appear on the ballot, while parliamentary aspirants paid $1,000 each.
- Polling stations, numbering more than 12,300, will be open from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM GMT.
- Except for diplomats and their families, Zimbabweans living and working abroad are unable to vote unless they are physically present in the country.
- Final election results are expected to be announced within five days after the poll.