President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be seeking a second term on the 23rd of August 2023
By Melisa Javangwe,
Eleven candidates will on August 23 contest in the Zimbabwe presidential election, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has confirmed.
Announcing a 11 candidates list for successful candidates on Thursday, ZEC said 10 others were disqualified for various reasons. The nomination fee, which was pegged at $20 000 is believed to be the main hindrance that led many to be disqualified.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Advocate Nelson Chamisa president for the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) are expected to be the two leading horses for the 2023 presidential race, while Savior Kasukuwere, who willcontest as an independent presidential candidate is also expected to be influential.
Kasukuwere, a former ZANU PF political commissar, who escaped the country in November 2017 at the fall of president Mugabe, has been vocal on political issues, and he says will form a government of national unity to save Zimbabwe from the economic doldrums.
Popularly known as Tyson, it has become clear that Kasukuwere does not agree with the Emmerson Mnangagwa leadership.
Kasukuwere, Jonathan Moyo and Patrick Zhuwawo, Walter Mzembi who were the big players of the G40 have always argued that Mnangagwa and his Team Lacoste was heavy-handed in dealing with the G40 members, a stance which they say drove them into exile.
President Mnangagwa hailed the democratic process as he filed his nomination at the High Court on Wednesday.
“Countrywide the process is going very well and it shows that Zimbabwe is now a mature democracy. This process is so peaceful and that is what we want,” he said.
Labour Economists and Afrikan Democrats (LEAD) president, Linda Tsungirirai Masarira will not be on the ballot as she is said to have failed to raise the $20 000 nomination fees.
Another female candidate, United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) president, Elisabeth Valerio, a businesswoman with interests in the tourism industry failed to make it as there were issues with her payments.
Robert Chapman, president of the newly formed Democratic Union of Zimbabwe has since issued a statement on his withdrawal from the race.
National Constitutional Assembly president, Professor Lovemore Madhuku will be on the ballot.
Below is the full list of the candidates:
1. Zanu PF – President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa;
2. CCC – Advocate Nelson Chamisa;
3. MDC-T – Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora;
4. Independent candidate – Saviour Kasukuwere;
5. NCA – Professor Lovemore Madhuku;
6. Free Zim Congress – Joseph Makamba Busha;
7. ZCPD – Chikohora Trust Tapiwa;
8. DOP – Peter Harry Wilson;
9. ZIPP – Blessing Kasiyamhuru;
10. NPC – Wilbert Archbald Mubayiwa; and
11. UNAC – Gwinyai Henry Muzorewa.
