The former Zimbabwean president says, on the eve of the presidential election, that he will not vote for his successor Emmerson Mnangagwa.

“For the first time, we have a long list of aspirants in power, I can not vote for those who have treated me badly, I will make my choice among the 22 other candidates,” he said in a press conference at his home in Harare, the capital.

“I can not vote for Zanu-PF,” Mugabe insisted.

Refusing to vote for the party in power since Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the former president suggests he would vote for 40-year-old leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), Nelson Chamisa. “Who’s left, Chamisa,” he said, talking about the MDC leader.

In power since the country’s independence in 1980, Robert Mugabe was dismissed in November 2017 by some of his relatives, including Mr. Mnangagwa.

The latter, who ensures his succession since then, favorite share of the presidential election scheduled Monday and coupled with parliamentary elections.

These are the first polls in the country without the participation of Mr. Mugabe.

Emmerson Mnangagwa, 75, faces a determined opposition, headed by Nelson Chamisa.