HARARE – Zimbabwe will hold its harmonised elections between July 26 and August 26 this year, Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has said.

“The preparatory work for holding this year’s harmonised general election is at an advanced stage,” Ziyambi told state media.

“The next step that awaits the electorate is the announcement of the election date, through a proclamation by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa.

“It is anticipated that the elections will be held between July 26 and August 26.”

Ziyambi said the holding of elections between the period mentioned is in line with Section 158 (1) of the Constitution, “which provides that a general election must be held so that polling takes place not more than 30 days before the expiry of the five-year period upon swearing in of the President and/or Parliament”.

“Consequently, this will result in the dissolution of Parliament at midnight on the day before the first polling day,” he said.

Zimbabwe’s last harmonised elections were held July 30, 2018 while the President was sworn into office August 26, 2018.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa hinted earlier this year the 2023 elections could be held in July.

Speaking at the Zimbabwe-Belarus instruments of cooperation signing ceremony, Mnangagwa said the 2023 harmonised elections may be held in July.

“Zimbabwe will soon hold elections, sometime in July possibly,” Mnangagwa said.

The 2023 elections would be the second national polls to be presided over by the incumbent, since taking over from late former President Robert Mugabe in November 2017.

This year’s election is widely expected to be a toss of the coin between Zanu PF and the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), led by Nelson Chamisa.

Mnangagwa is set to represent Zanu PF in the presidential election while Chamisa, who remains a popular choice to challenge the Zimbabwe number one, awaits confirmation by his party.

CCC has set April 5, 2023 as the date it shall conduct its candidate selection process and these include the presidential candidate choice, according to responsible party officials.

Zanu PF recently held its primary elections to choose candidates for the polls.