Zimbabwe heads to the poll for its first post-Robert Mugabe elections

Zimbabweans head to the poll for landmark election without Robert Mugabe.

Zimbabweans began voting on Monday, July 30, 2018, for the first post-Robert Mugabe election in four decades in the South African country.

Mugabe, the former president, was thrown out of power in a bloodless coup in 2017.

Zimbabweans will be electing a new president, parliamentarians and conduct local elections on the same day.

The leading presidential candidates are:

Emmerson Mnangagwa - ruling Zanu-PF party

The 70-year-old revolutionary leader was the country's vice president until November 2017 after he ousted President Robert Mugabe. He is a strong member of the ZANU-PF and longtime ally of the former Zimbabwean leader.

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Nelson Chamisa - Democratic Change (MDC)

40-years old Chamisa leads the opposition. He is Zimbabwe's youngest ever presidential candidate.

Mugabe's appearance

Zimbabwe's former president Robert Mugabe in a dramatic intervention and appearance on Sunday, July 29, 2018, rejected his successor, Emmerson Mnangagwa, and said he will not be voting for him in today's' election.

International observers

President Mnangagwa has vowed to hold a free and fair election and invited international observers, including the previously-banned European Union team.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC)

Reports say 5.6 million registered voters will vote in the election and the electoral body is due to announce the results of the presidential, parliamentary and local elections by August 4, 2018.

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