Online Reporter
Farirai Machivenyika-Senior Reporter
DEBATE on the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 continued in the National Assembly yesterday, with most legislators backing the proposed legislation, saying it is critical to the country’s development trajectory.
Parliamentarians have been debating the Bill since it was tabled in the House last week, with discussions focusing on governance reforms and the proposed extension of the electoral cycle.
Matabeleland North legislator Cde Elizabeth Masuku said extending the electoral cycle from five to seven years would boost investor confidence.
“The President’s mantra is that ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’ and the extension of the electoral cycle will boost investor confidence and show that Zimbabwe is indeed open for business,” she said.
Cde Masuku said frequent election cycles had kept the country in a continuous election mode, which was detrimental to long-term development planning. Mashonaland Central legislator Cde Barbra Thompson said it was important for the country to shift focus towards development instead of holding endless elections.
“The extension of the electoral cycle allows the Government to plan and implement its development agenda without the disruption caused by electioneering,” she said.
Cde Thompson also said she supported proposals to allow traditional leaders to participate in politics, arguing that they are entitled to the same rights as other citizens. Marondera East representative Cde Vimbai Mutokonyi also supported the extension of the electoral cycle and the election of the President by Parliament, but raised concern over the proposed dissolution of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission.
“My constituents are of the view that the ZGC plays an important role in the promotion of gender equality between men and women and its disbanding will negatively affect the promotion of gender equality programmes,” he said.
Debate on the Bill continues today.
