The economy remains the top electoral issue, as citizens grapple with hyperinflation, high unemployment, acute shortages of electricity and soaring prices.
Zimbabwe will hold presidential and parliamentary elections on August 23, with the country's extended economic crisis and accusations of a government crackdown against its opponents expected to again take centre stage.There are 11 candidates vying for the presidency. However, the main contest is between incumbent Emmerson Mnangagwa, 80, from the governing Zanu-PF and Nelson Chamisa, 45, of the opposition Citizen's Coalition for Change .
Political analysts say the race is tilted in favour of Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF, which has governed Zimbabwe since 1980 and looks set to exploit its control of state institutions to retain power. State media give little airtime to the opposition and police routinely stop its campaign rallies. Unemployment remains high, an important electoral issue for young people under the age of 35, who make up 70% of the population.
To clear the debt, mostly owed to multilateral financiers and bilateral lenders, Zimbabwe needs to normalise ties with western nations, something Mnangagwa has struggled with despite early promises to pursue a different course to his predecessor.
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