A new poll, conducted in Zimbabwe ahead of that country’s election scheduled for next month, shows the opposition Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) and its leader, Nelson Chamisa, leading.
The poll, conducted last month by an organisation called Elite Africa Research, found that of the 2 000 people polled, 48% would vote for Chamisa, against the 39% who would vote for Zimbabwean President and leader of ZANU-PF, Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Results for the parliamentary election showed something similar, with 48% saying they would vote for the CCC and 40% for ZANU-PF.
Presidential and parliamentary elections will be held at the same time.
Some will argue that ZANU-PF’s relatively good showing is somewhat puzzling, as the same poll found that 70% of respondents felt the country was heading in the wrong direction.
Dr Stephen Chan, a veteran African watcher at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, said on Twitter that the poll showed ‘many undecideds. And many respondents said they were not totally convinced by Chamisa. These may finally vote for the devil they know.’
ZANU-PF has been in power since Zimbabwe became independent in 1980 and in recent years has managed to win elections through cheating and violence against its opponents.