This forced the parties to enter into a unity government which cost the opposition dearly as it was clobbered in 2013 dropping to 49 seats while ZANU-PF shot up to 159.
The opposition split again after its 2013 election defeat but it improved its tally to 64 in the 2018 elections while ZANU-PF dropped to 144.
A layman’s observation is that ZANU-PF learns from its losses and corrects the situation at the next plebiscite. The opposition does not seem to learn anything. Instead it relaxes after its victories and loses seats only to recover after such losses.
If history repeats itself, ZANU-PF is likely to win big against the opposition which should be in its losing cycle, hence its aim to get 80% of the vote. While it has never won so big following the coming in of the MDC, ZANU-PF once won 97.5% of the vote immediately after the unity accord.
Mnangagwa seems to be aiming for this massive victory. And Chamisa seems to be making sure he does. Some political commentators say Mnangagwa is laying the ground for such a victory, pointing out that the massive attendance at the party rallies he has held so far, make it easier for Mnangagwa rig the elections because the rallies have been televised live nationally and internationally.
This time, it might be difficult for Chamisa to complain that he was robbed as he has publicly stated that he has closed all the loopholes to stop Mnangagwa from rigging the elections.
With all the pistons firing, it will be difficult for Mnangagwa to lose. Besides, Chamisa seems to be banking more on people’s disenchantment with Mnangagwa and the economy rather than on his own popular support.
As The Insider reported before, Chamisa seems to be doing everything to make sure that he loses the elections. He only seems to be in the race because too many people expect him to be.
But anything can happen as it is the people of Zimbabwe who will have the final say.
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