Claim: A social media post circulated on August 23 stated that President Emmerson Mnangagwa had extended voting in Zimbabwe’s general election to August 24 after some polling stations in Harare, Bulawayo and other parts of the country faced logistical problems.
Verdict: True
While official communication on this decision was quite confusing over the statutory provisions on which the extension wa based, the operative effect of the Presidential Proclamation is that voting will resume in dozens of wards and constituencies around the country where balloting was severely delayed by the lack delivery of materials.
Section 38 (4) of the Electoral Act does give president Emmerson Mnangagwa powers to alter any election day, time or place fixed.
Conclusion:
Section 38 (4) of the Electoral Act does give president Emmerson Mnangagwa powers to alter any election day, time or place fixed.
The information ministry in a Wednesday evening statement confirmed that president Emmerson Mnangagwa had indeed extended election dates to August 24.
“24 August 2023 has been fixed as the last day of polling for polling stations affected by delays,” read the statement from the information ministry.
Section 53 of the Electoral Act does allow polling stations to open for continuously 12 hours from the time they open.
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