Zimbabwe's President, Robert Mugabe faces a tough challenge of convincing the public to vote for him and his party in the coming, March harmonised presidential and parliamentary elections, The Zimbabwe Gazette can reveal.

Zimbabwe President Gearing Up For Test

However, this year has started with more problems mounting up, in which the ordinary man is the worst affected.

Due to many economic, political and social problems being faced by Zimbabweans, many citizens indicate they no longer want to be led by a government which has failed them.

The month of January has seen a massive increase in the prices of goods, commodities and services to levels where the consumer cannot reach.

A Harare based political expert says it is now very difficult for an ordinary citizen to survive in the country, even for an employed individual.

"For people to vote for a leader (president), they usually first look at the possibility of them 'filling their stomachs' after the polls."

The political situation towards elections is still calm as compared to the recent years. A little 'noise' was only recorded this week when the police crushed a march by the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

In 2007, it emerged that civil servants are some of the lowly paid workers in the country.

Late last year and also this year, civil servants (except uniformed forces) went on strike demanding increments and better working conditions.

Whilst this reporter was in the banking hall- in a queue, a uniformed police officer shouted that he no longer depends on his salary for survival.

"We earn peanuts and it is embarrassing to let you know the figure. I have since figured out ways of complementing my salary."

"After work, I raid parallel (black) market traders of which I threaten to take them to the police station or they give me cut (bribe)," he said.

Last year's 'prize freeze' by the government witnessed many companies closing down, workers being retrenched as basic commodities disappeared from the supermarket shelves. Mugabe ordered business and service operators to halt any price increments in which he backdated the prices. Commodities became available on the black market at exorbitant prices.

Transport fares have also gone up rapidly with commuters in Harare now paying not less than $2 million per single trip.

In the buses and kombis people complain that things have not become unbearable and there is need to change the leader or government.

Parents also went through a hard time in raising school fees and buying school uniforms for their children. The fees and prices also shot up dramatically.

The constant power cuts affecting the country are another factor to consider- which is crucial in determining Mugabe's victory.

The sudden blackout during last weekend and on Monday, apart from the usual power cuts says a lot about the government, which through the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), has totally failed to find means of supplying the country with electricity. Everyone can see the situation is getting worse day by day.

"Ordinary people at home and businesses are being constantly affected by the power supply interruptions. To a larger extent, all people's activities are affected," said the analyst.

People are also finding it hard to purchase candles, paraffin, and firewood as the prices are too high.

Bills from ZINWA are also reported to be very high at around $80 million in some low-density suburbs and $50 million in some high-density suburbs.

The cash shortages along with the queues brought too much suffering and stress to the public.

Again, for long the monetary authorities have failed to solve the problem which emanated sometime back in 2002/3.

More time was being wasted in bank queues as most workers struggled to get their money from their respective banks.

Mugabe and his government have been critised especially by the World Bank, IMF and the international community in general for implementing policies that derail the economy.

The analyst said with all these problems, each and every individual has felt the pinch and anticipating the polls are free and fair, Mugabe and his men will lose.

In recent polls, Mugabe has been noted by his critics and opposition as rigging elections.

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