The government has set aside a total of ZWL$76 billion for the holding of general elections next year in which President Emmerson Mnangagwa is seeking re-election.
The elections are likely to held between July and August 2023.
“Mr. Speaker Sir, the country will hold harmonised elections in 2023 as enshrined in the Constitution,” said Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, while presenting the 2023 national budget in Harare Thursday.
“Preparations for the plebiscite have already commenced, which included the delimitation exercise, voter registration, and voter’s role inspection.”
He elaborated: “The 2023 National Budget is setting aside ZWL$76 billion for the remaining activities covering voter registration, voter inspection, and actual election conduct, among others.”
Meanwhile, the Finance Minister also set aside resources towards capacitation of the uniformed forces with accommodation, ration, and equipment, as well as improving their remuneration both monetary and non-monetary, which he said were meant to fight crime, maintain law and order, as well as general peace and security.
“Similarly, the welfare of the veterans of the liberation remains a priority, with the 2023 Budget setting aside ZWL$46 billion towards their monetary and non-monetary benefits, as well as capitalisation of their companies in mining, tourism, agriculture, among others,” added Ncube.
This week the European Union (EU) unveiled US$5.9 million to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to run the much-anticipated polls.
