Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has announced plans for a nationwide presidential election at the end of July, despite objections from the prime minister.

Mugabe said on Thursday that he was empowered to set the presidential election, scheduled for July 31, in light of a court ruling that stated he would be in breach of his constitutional responsibilities by failing to declare polls by June 29.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, however, has strongly condemned the president’s move, accusing Mugabe of unilaterally forcing elections on a preferred date.

Tsvangirai said electoral and democratic reforms demanded under the new constitution cannot be finalized by July 31.

“I appeal to fellow Zimbabweans to remain calm and vigilant in the face of this provocation and illegality,” said Tsvangirai, while replying to a letter sent by Mugabe informing the prime minister of the decision.

Mugabe and Tsvangirai were mandated to form a coalition government after the 2008 presidential election, with policies outlining a timeframe for election polls.