President Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe says the country will hold elections in four to five months’ time.
Last year, long-term serving president Robert Mugabe was ousted from office with Mnangagwa later sworn in.
“Zimbabwe is going for elections in four to five months’ time and we have to preach peace, peace and peace because we know it is good for us and we have no doubt that we will have peaceful elections,” local media quoted Mnangagwa as saying.
“We will ensure that Zimbabwe delivers free, credible, fair and indisputable elections to ensure Zimbabwe engages the world as a qualified democratic state.
Under the constitution, Zimbabwe should hold elections between July 22 and August 22 but parliament can elect to dissolve itself, triggering an early vote.
The ruling ZANU-PF holds a two-thirds majority in parliament.