[1] The main race for presidential office was between two candidates of Karanga origin: ZANU–PF's Emmerson Mnangagwa and Citizens Coalition for Change's Nelson Chamisa.

There were some reports from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation that about 5 wards in Manicaland people did not manage to vote at all because of logistical difficulties which were faced by the ZEC.

Preelectoral polls suggested a runoff was likely,[8][9] but Mnangagwa won the first round with a narrow majority.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission approved 11 candidates, but disqualified Saviour Kasukuwere for failing to meet residency requirements.

[12] The approved candidates include:[12][13] The main issue of the election campaign was inflation[14] and the economic crisis which had been exacerbated by the hyperinflation of the new Zimbabwean dollar.

[21] The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission acknowledged the late distribution of ballot papers at some polling stations and blamed it on printing delays "arising from numerous court challenges".

[28][29][30] Voting in the Gutu West constituency was postponed to 11 November after one of the candidates died shortly before the elections.