Patrick Chinamasa, the Treasurer General of Zanu-PF, addressed both local and international media during a press conference held at the party's headquarters in Harare. He communicated that the initial projections strongly indicate President Emmerson Mnangagwa's victory with a substantial margin of 60 to 65 percent.
Chinamasa expressed, "Based on the information at our disposal, we are right on track with our forecasts and anticipations. Our goals of securing a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly have been effectively met—we've already achieved that."
He further stated, "We are also successfully progressing towards our objective of attaining a 60 to 65 percent mandate for our president in this election, which aligns with our initial projections. We extend our sincere appreciation to the electorate for making this outcome possible."
Chinamasa was standing in for Zanu-PF secretary general Obert Moyo.
He said Zanu-PF’s projections are formulated from what the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has been publishing at polling stations, and what the party’s electoral agents have been collating.
Given the tense situation in the country, and a history of post-electoral violence in the country linked to disputed results, Chinamasa said anyone who instigates for violence would be punished.
“The electorate, the population, the public is advised strongly not to listen to the rantings of Chamisa (Nelson Chamisa, leader of the main opposition the Citizens Coalition for Change) … basically he is seeking to disturb the peace that has characterized these elections,” said Chinamasa.
“He has been claiming that he won - that is a lie, a falsehood that he is perpetrating. He has also been saying he will not accept the results - he can be entitled to his opinion. What is important is what ZEC has announced,” he said.
“He is daydreaming. It’s very clear that Chamisa is seeking to provoke and to breach peace. I want to say this - any incitement to violence, he will have to face up to law enforcement agencies. Zanu PF, its supporters and people – we have no responsibility to maintain peace and order in this country; it is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies.”
On the other hand, the Chamisa-led CCC is also claiming victory from the harmonized elections in Zimbabwe.
On Thursday, Chamisa wrote on social media: “It’s a decisive win!”
Earlier, Chamisa posted on X: “Thank you Zimbabwe. On the presidential (elections), you the citizens are scoring big in Bulawayo, Harare, Matebeleland South, Matebeleland North, Manicaland, Mashonaland West (provinces). Also doing well in Masvingo, Midlands, Mashonaland East and Central #ThisTime”.
On Wednesday, Mnangagwa through a special proclamation extended voting by another day after long delays marred the first day of voting at different polling stations.
Long queues were seen at several polling stations across Zimbabwe on Wednesday – the first day of the elections - as millions of Zimbabweans lined up to participate in the tightly contested general elections.
The elections this week were the country’s second general elections since the removal of long-time ruler Robert Mugabe who had governed the landlocked Southern African nation for 37 years.
Almost seven million Zimbabweans were registered to vote, in a country with a population of more than 15 million.