ZANU-PF has secured a majority in Parliament after posting big wins across its rural strongholds, latest election results released today show, pointing to a victory for President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Results released early Wednesday by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) showed that ZANU-PF had won an unassailable 109 seats in the House of Assembly, against 41 for the opposition MDC Alliance. Another 58 seats were yet to be declared, but, with a total 210 seats available, ZANU-PF needed just 30 more to gain the two-thirds majority that would give the party the power to amend the Constitution at will.
“We are very confident of getting two-thirds. We are winning big,” ZANU-PF legal secretary Paul Mangagwa told newZWire after the release of initial results Tuesday.
The Parliament vote sets the stage for a win for Mnangagwa, although results of the Presidential vote are only expected at the latest by Saturday.
While ZANU-PF as swept much of their rural base, initial tallies show how Mnangagwa has also managed to win over some urban voters.
On Twitter, Mnangagwa said he was waiting for results but information on the count was “extremely positive”.
Good morning Zimbabwe. I am delighted by the high turnout and citizen engagement so far. The information from our reps on the ground is extremely positive! Waiting patiently for official results as per the constitution.
— President of Zimbabwe (@edmnangagwa) July 31, 2018
The MDC Alliance has accused ZEC of manipulating the vote and, early Wednesday, its leader Nelson Chamisa defiantly declared himself winner of the “popular vote”.
Zec seeks to release results to buy time & reverse the people’s presidential election victory. The strategy is meant to prepare Zim mentally to accept fake presidential results.We’ve more votes than ED.We won the popular vote & will defend it !
— Nelson Chamisa (@nelsonchamisa) August 1, 2018
