Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has today proclaimed that this year’s general elections would be held on August 23.

Through Statutory Instrument 85 of 2023 (SI 85), President Mnangagwa also set aside October 2 as the day of the runoff election to the office of President.

“Now, therefore, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as aforesaid, I do, by this proclamation….fix the 23^rd day of August, 2023, as the day of the election to the office of President, the election of members of the National Assembly and election of councillors.

“That is to say, as the day on which a poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 46(17)(c) or 125(4)(b) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13] for the election to the office of President or any such members of the National Assembly or councillors; and (e) fix the 2^nd day of October, 2023, as the day of the runoff election to the office of President, that is to say as the day on which a poll shall be taken if such a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 38(1)(a)(iii) of the Electoral Act,” read SI 85/2023.

President Mnangagwa has also set the 3^rd of August 2023 as the day in which Provincial Assemblies of Chief should meet to elect members of the Chiefs’ Council as directed by Section 120(1) (b) and (c) of the constitution of Zimbabwe, as read with section 38(3) of the Electoral Act 2:13 and Section 35 of the Traditional Leaders Act.

According to the SI 85 of 2023, the nomination court would also sit on 21 June 2023 at the High Court to register candidates.

Meanwhile, citizens who spoke to this publication said that they expected this year’s elections to be held in a peaceful environment. President Mnangagwa has used every platform to call for political tolerance and unity among the country’s citizens pre, during and post-election time.