Zimbabwe’s new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, has promised hat the country would go to the polls before July, in the first elections since Robert Mugabe was ousted after 37 years in power.
Mnangagwa, who took office in November after a shock military takeover led to Mugabe’s ousting, promised to hold a fair vote.
Under Mugabe, who had ruled since 1980, Zimbabwean elections were marred by vote-rigging, intimidation and violent suppression of the opposition.
The vote, previously expected in late July or August, will elect the country’s president and both houses of parliament.
Mnangagwa, 75, was one of Mugabe’s closest allies in the ruling ZANU-PF party, and he is accused of playing a key role in Mugabe’s authoritarian regime that left the economy in ruin.
In another related story, Mnangagwa has given his cabinet ministers and senior government officials until the end of February to declare their assets.
Misheck Sibanda, chief secretary to the president and cabinet, said in a statement that it was now mandatory for cabinet ministers, their deputies, senior government officials and bosses of state-owned businesses to declare their assets.
The officials will be required to disclose details on their real estate, other property valued above 100,000, dollars and shareholdings in businesses by Feb. 28.
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