(Politics): Polls open in Zimbabwe's Crucial Presidential and Legislative Elections

Polls opened on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, for Zimbabweans to vote in the country's general election.

The presidential and parliamentary elections taking place are crucial to determining the future of a southern African nation endowed with vast mineral resources and rich agricultural land.

The opposition, traditionally stronger in urban areas, is hoping to ride a wave of discontent at the southern African country's economic troubles, amid high inflation, and unemployment.

At dawn, (Wednesday morning) many gathered at the polling stations in Mbare, Harare, the capital checking for their names on the register and forming lines.   "It is my right to vote so it's important for me to vote." one Daina said at her polling unit.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 80, who came to power after a coup that deposed late ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017 and is seeking re-election, has promised growth and new infrastructure. He sounds confident of victory.

All eyes are on Zimbabwe as the days prior to the elections were full of victimization, arrest and prosecution of opposition members and alleged plots by the government to rig the elections.

OneForumNews1