Zimbabweans gloomy about the economy, cautiously optimistic that presidential election will be a step forward

Zimbabweans are downbeat about economic conditions but cautiously hopeful that free and fair elections will restore political legitimacy and launch economic reforms, a new analysis of national survey findings suggests.

Based on a snapshot of public attitudes three months ahead of Zimbabwe’s July 30 election, the analysis identifies a seemingly contradictory public mood of economic pessimism and cautious political hope. It examines the likely influence of young voters, dissects assumptions about the preferences of undeclared voters, identifies unresolved election issues worrying voters, and recommends action steps that advocates of free and fair elections can take to help resolve them.