Magure, BookerLast name, First nameMunhuweyi, kenneth Takudzwa2026-08-192026-08-192022-11Munhuweyi, kenneth Takudzwa. 2022-11vital:66303http://hdl.handle.net/10353/27105http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11837/4849The study presents the structural polarization that characterized Zimbabwe’s postindependence electoral politics from 1980. Existing literature on the same phenomenon of polarization is both fragmented and inconsistent. Nevertheless, this study traced the history of Zimbabwean polarization to the pre-colonial and colonial periods to ascertain the reality of post-independence polarization. The postindependence of Zimbabwe under the Mugabe and Mnangagwa administrations, the ZANU-PF ruling party, was marked by political repression and restriction in electoral politics -a stealth authoritarian practice. In line with earlier studies, this research suggested that Zimbabwe is far from being an institutionalized democracy, given the dearth of electoral democratic qualities, the rule of law- and constitutional subversion. Zimbabwe has had a series of elections under monitoring and evaluation by local and international observers. The electoral observers’ reports and verdicts remain crucial in any given election and require scrutiny to determine their credibility and legitimacy. In 2018, Mnangagwa opened a doorway for international electoral monitoring/observation, previously closed by Mugabe in 2002. While recognizing Mnangagwa’s democratic aspirations, the 2017 post-coup was laced with political repression and 2018 post-election judicial verdict bias. There have been democratic transitioning impediments due to the ZANU-PF party’s centralized state institutions and militarized state capture –typical of a bureaucratic authoritarian regime. With the ZANU-PF party’s competitive authoritarianism in Zimbabwe, the thesis presented the prospects of the Citizens Coalition for Change opposition political parties’ -office seeking coalition building -aiming at maximizing electoral outcomes towards power changing and electoral reforms.,Thesis (MSoc) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2022computeronline resourceapplication/pdf1 online resource (xiii, 277 leaves)pdfEnglishUniversity of Fort HareAll Rights ReservedOpen AccessZimbabwe -- Politics and government -- 1980-Political historyPoliticsGrahamstown (South Africa)Eastern Cape (South Africa)South AfricaHistoryMaster's theses