Zimbabwe rivals promise victory in pitch for votes at final election rallies

A woman walks past election posters in Harare, Zimbabwe, July 19, 2018. [REUTERS/Philimon Bulawayo].

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his rival Nelson Chamisa held final election rallies on Saturday and both vowed to rebuild an economy shattered by Robert Mugabe’s long rule.

Monday’s vote is the first since Mugabe was forced to step down in November after a de facto coup and, as such, is a major national test. Mnangagwa is favourite although the latest opinion poll said the race was too close to call.