Factors affecting voting behavior and voting patterns in Zimbabwe’s 2008 harmonized elections

Abstract

Elections in Zimbabwe 2008 reflected a changing behavior and pattern that has existed since her
attainment of independence in 1980. History has it that the ruling ZANU PF has always had a sweet and
easy victory over the opposition. The 2008 elections reflected a different picture. The 2008 elections
were unique not only in as far as results are concerned but also in as far as the indirect and direct
players’ contributions. The uniqueness was manifested in behavior of the voters and the parties
themselves. There were many political contesters and many offices up for grabs at once. These were
the first elections that failed to produce an outright winner for the office of president and led for the first
time to a runoff since independence. A number of questions have arisen as to the changes in voting
patterns. The papers therefore seek to analyze the factors beneath the manifestation of the trend
changes. The paper will round off by pontificating about the future of voting patterns in Zimbabwe.