The forthcoming 2023 presidential election, which is slated for August 23 this year, will have a total of eleven candidates, according to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
21 candidates submitted their papers for candidature on Wednesday.
10 of those 21 candidates, however, were unable to have their nominations approved for a variety of reasons. These factors included not paying the necessary US$20,000 fee or receiving enough nominations from registered voters, among others.
Each candidate was required to receive ten nominations from each of the 10 provinces in the nation.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the head of Zanu PF, and his main rival Nelson Chamisa from the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), have both successfully had their nomination papers accepted by the commission, according to ZEC Deputy Chairman Rodney Kiwa in an interview with the state-run Zimpapers Television News.
In addition to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Nelson Chamisa, several other candidates from various political affiliations will appear on the ballot for Zimbabwe’s presidential election. These include Saviour Kasukuwere, a former cabinet minister running as an independent candidate.
Joining him are Douglas Mwonzora, the leader of MDC-T; Lovemore Madhuku representing NCA; Joseph Busha from Free Zim Congress; Trust Chikohora of ZCPD, Blessing Kasiyamhuru from ZIPP, Wilbert Archbald Mubaiwa of NPC, Gwinyai Muzorewa of UANC, and Harry Peter Wilson of DOP.
Kiwa announced that additional lists of successful candidates for the National Assembly and local authority elections will be published by June 30. This timeframe will allow any dissatisfied candidates to have sufficient time to file court appeals.
It was also reported that several instances of double candidates from an undisclosed party, speculated to be the CCC, were identified in Harare, Bulawayo, and Masvingo. The CCC has alleged that these candidates forged signatures without approval, and they have expressed their commitment to pursue legal recourse.
