Zimbabwe to vote in uphill election for defiant opposition

HARARE - Zimbabweans go to the polls on Wednesday in closely-watched presidential and legislative elections, after a campaign tainted by a crackdown on dissent, fears of vote rigging and public anger at the economic crisis.

The opposition, traditionally stronger in urban areas, is hoping to ride a wave of discontent at the southern African country's economic troubles, amid high inflation, unemployment and widespread poverty.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who came to power after a coup that deposed late ruler Robert Mugabe in 2017 and is seeking re-election, has promised growth and new infrastructure.

He sounds confident of victory.

"I'm going for my second term, it's my last term," he told state media on the eve of the polls.

Mnangagwa's main challenger is Nelson Chamisa, 45, who leads the yellow-coloured Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party.

The lawyer and pastor has promised a new Zimbabwe "for everyone", tackling corruption, relaunching the economy and pulling the country out of international isolation.

"Zimbabwe, our time has come," he told a large campaign rally in Harare on Monday. "We are going to win with a big and wide margin".

Yet, in a nation with a history of tainted elections, few believe he will emerge the outright winner.

The CCC has complained about being unfairly targeted by authorities, its members arrested, dozens of events blocked and little or no airtime on national television.

But election authorities dismissed concerns about irregularities in the voters roll as "the product of creative imagination".

"We are ready. If there are any issues, we will deal with them," said Rodney Kiwa, deputy chairman of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).

Chamisa is used to disputed elections.

He narrowly lost to Mnangagwa in 2018, in a poll he condemned as fraudulent and which was tainted by a deadly crackdown on post-election protests.