Zimbabwean authorities have extended the voting period for the presidential, parliamentary, and local elections by a day following procedural irregularities detected at several polling stations.
According to TASS, President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe made the announcement to prolong the voting timeframe from Wednesday (August 23) night into Thursday (August 24). The extension specifically applies to polling stations in the provinces of Harare, Bulawayo, and Manicaland.
This decision was prompted by instances of significant delays in opening some polling stations (up to 10 hours), and the failure to open others at all. The New Zimbabwe newspaper reported that this extension aims to address these issues.
On August 23, the Zimbabwean publication New Ziana confirmed the closure of polling stations and the commencement of the ballot counting process.
In light of the Chronicle newspaper's observations, two polling stations in the capital province of Harare extended the voting period after their official closing time due to insufficient ballots. However, this one-day extension is not expected to affect the timing of the results announcement, which is anticipated within five days of the elections, according to the report.
The presidential race in Zimbabwe involves 11 candidates, including the incumbent president, Mnangagwa. A major contender is Nelson Chamisa, the leader of the opposition party "Movement for Democratic Change - Alliance."
Mnangagwa, who previously secured victory in the elections during the summer of 2018, expressed determination to succeed once again. In the event that no candidate garners 50% plus one vote in the initial round of presidential elections, a second round is scheduled for October 2.
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