Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe Wednesday cast his vote in his country’s general elections.
The 89-year-old President, who was accompanied by his wife, arrived at Highfield, a high density suburb South-west of the capital city of Harare, at exactly 11.40 a.m. local time to cast his vote in the polls, in which he is being challenged by four other candidates.
Speaking after voting, President Mugabe said he would serve a full term if elected, while waxing optimistic about his chances of winning.
Also, Vice President Joice Mujuru has cast her vote at Chihoko Primary School in Dotito, Mt Darwin West constituency.
Earlier, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai voted at a hall in Mount Pleasant, also in the suburb of the capital, after which he told journalists that he was sure of a ”resounding victory”.
So far, voting has progressed smoothly across the country, despite the fears of violence.
Turnout has been generally impressive at the elections, in which the country’s 6.4 million registered voters will also elect MPs and local government councillors.
In an interview with Zimbabwe’s Newsday newspaper, an MDC-T polling agent at Gapara polling station said the 2013 polls were a far cry from the bloodbath of 2008.
“It seems like a peaceful process this year as compared to 2008. So far these no intimidation and people are voting in peace. I am hoping after people vote the situation will remain peaceful,” Nyamhandu said.
The elections are the first to be held under a new Constitution that was approved in a referendum in March 2013.
