HARARE, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe on Wednesday urged Zimbabweans to maintain peace ahead of elections set for mid 2018.
He said political violence should be avoided because it results in discredited polls.
"As we prepare for the 2018 harmonized elections, I urge all Zimbabweans to remain united in upholding peace. We should not present our detractors with an opportunity to discredit our own internal democratic processes," Mugabe was quoted as saying by the state run news agency New Ziana.
He said he was confident that police would be up to the task in maintaining peace and order.
Last year, Zimbabwe was rocked by a series of violent anti-government demonstrations, held at the behest of shadowy groups and opposition parties.
Government accused Western countries, through their embassies, of active involvement in sponsoring the protests.
Mugabe will be seeking re-election after his ruling ZANU-PF party endorsed him as its presidential candidate for next year's elections when he will be 94.
In the past two months, he has been holding youth interface rallies to drum up support ahead of the polls.
