Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promised to abide by the results of the upcoming elections.

"This time around Zimbabwe is open and transparent, we want to have free and fair elections," he told the BBC's Mishal Husain.

When asked if that meant allowing international observers to monitor the elections he joked that that's what transparent means.

In addition to allowing foreign observers to check elections, Mr Mnangagwa said he is committed to a non-violent election.

He also promised that he will "abide by the results" and hope that the electorate had begun judging him "from day one."

Mr Mnangagwa has not yet set an election date.

"I will make the decision [of when to hold elections] on 12 April," he said.

Mr Mnangagwa suggested that it would be before July.

Addressing his predecessor, Robert Mugabe, Mr Mnangwa said he had not been given "any immunity" but that he would "do everything to make sure [his] family lives in peace, undisturbed."