Has Mnangagwa delayed announcing election dates or people are just too anxious?

“Delayed polls dates compromise credibility”, declared a headline by the Daily News.   

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa is by law empowered to proclaim the election dates and until he does so, civic groups, opposition parties and by extension, the national election management body; the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission as well as prospective voters; keep speculating,” the paper said.

“It is fair for everyone involved to have an idea of when the elections are held and only the powers-that-be, in this case, Mnangagwa, has a duty to proclaim the dates in time to allow proper planning by those involved.”

Movement for Democratic Change leader Nelson Chamisa also yesterday complained that three months to the elections, the election timetable was still not known by the nation. It is only known to Mnangagwa and a few of his friends. That is against the holding of a free and fair election, he said.

Chamisa is both a lawyer and a legislator and ought to be well vested with the national constitution.

According to the Parliamentary watchdog, Veritas, Mnangagwa is now restricted by the new constitution on when he can call elections.

It says the elections can be held on 23 July at the earliest and 21 August at the latest.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission says they should be held between 21 July and 21 August.

Veritas says the earliest date for proclamation of the elections is 30 April if they are to be held on 23 July and the latest is 8 July if they will be held on 21 August.

Below is the elections time frame as set out by Veritas.

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