In the capital Harare, long queues had formed in front of many polling stations. In some places, voters arrived hours before doors opened at 7:00 am local time.
Voters had to vote for a president, a member of Parliament and a city councilor, in a ballot where, for first time was not Robert Mugabe's name. In power for 37 years, he resigned in November after a coup that took place without violence.
Voters, who exercised their right in front of thousands of international observers deployed for the occasion , had to choose between 23 presidential candidates, a record number. Observers had not been allowed by the Mugabe regime in elections held over the past 16 years.
For these historic elections, "there was a high turnout, especially of young people," said the leader. observers from the European Union, Elmar Brok, who did not report, at the end of the day, cases of violence, while the polls of the Mugabe era had been regularly tainted by frauds and violence.
hundreds of Zimbabweans are lining up to register their votes in the Mbare district of Harare. They must choose a president, a deputy and a municipal councilor. Photo: Getty Images / LUIS TATO
The examination began, sometimes in the light of candles or gas lamps. The results are expected within five days
Despite the high number of candidates, the fight is really between the current President Emmerson Mnangagwa, ex-right arm of Mr Mugabe and leader of ZANU-PF, and Nelson Chamisa, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
If neither man obtains more than 50% of the vote, a second ballot will be held on September 8.
votes began, sometimes by candlelight, as here in Harare. Photo: Reuters / Mike Hutchings
The Seraglio Man Against the Young Wolf
75-year-old Mr. Mnangagwa is the former chief of intelligence services of Mr. Mugabe. He has ruled the country since his mentor was ousted by the military last fall.
However, he was never voted by the ballot box and his election could give him a popular legitimacy that he
Emerson Mnangagwa leaves the polling station in the Kwekwe district, where he went to vote Monday morning. Aged 75, Robert Mugabe's ex-right-hand man has been leading Zimbabwe for just under a year. Photo: Canadian Press / AP / Jerome Delay
Nicknamed "The Crocodile", Mr. Mnangagwa claims to have taken a step back from his past as the Mugabe regime's cacique [personnalité nantie d’une fonction importante]. It promises the advent of a "new democracy" and plans to attract billions of dollars in investment to revive the country's economy.
I can guarantee you that there is today in Zimbabwe an area of democracy as the country has never known. In any democratic space and country, the people have the right to express their point of view, whether positive or negative.
M. Mnangagwa said on Twitter that millions of people voted for "mutual respect and peace". He urged his fellow citizens to wait patiently for the election commission to announce the results.
Attorney-turned-pastor, Nelson Chamisa, 40, was only a candidate for the MDC this winter, after the death of Morgan Tsvangirai, leader history of this formation which was at the forefront of the fight against the regime of Robert Mugabe.
He is not a neophyte in politics so far. A founding member of the party, he headed the youth wing before being elected a member of Parliament in 2003. He also served as Minister of Communications in a national unity government between 2008 and 2013.
Nelson Chamisa, Chief Movement for Democratic Change, voted Monday morning in the district of Kuwadzana, Harare. The 40-year-old lawyer and pastor is Emmerson Mnangagwa's main opponent. Photo: Reuters / Mike Hutchings
Mr. Chamisa, with his talent as a speaker, has for many people embodied the possibility of a democratic renewal, particularly for the young and the unemployed, especially in the cities. Mr. Mnangagwa is known to be more popular in rural areas.
The victory is certain. People have spoken. […] I have no doubt that by the end of the day, we should have a categorical voice for change, for renewal, for the youth I represent.
