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Parliament has submitted the Electoral Amendment Bill to President Mugabe for assent, a process that will ultimately give effect to a Constitutional provision regarding the Presidential term and see former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Dr Gideon Gono become a Senator.
According to a notice in the Government Gazette published on Friday, Senate President Cde Edna Madzongwe sent the Bill to President Mugabe two weeks ago.
The President has up to August 6 to either sign or reject the Bill in terms of a Constitutional 21-day time-line.
“It is hereby notified that in terms of Section 131(5)b of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, I have on 16th July 2014, sent the Electoral Amendment Act, 2014 (No6 of 2014) to His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe for his assent and signature,” said Cde Madzongwe.
The Bill seeks to effect Section 101 of the Constitution which states that in the event of the President’s death or resignation, the First Vice President assumes office for the remainder of his/her term of office.
It is also tailored to facilitate filling vacancies that emerged in the Senate following the death of Buhera Senator Cde Kumbirai Kangai and the elevation of Cde Madzongwe to Senate President.
Zanu-PF Manicaland has since recommended that Dr Gono fill national hero Cde Kangayi’s seat.
If the Bill is passed into law, special voting, which was hampered by challenges in last year’s elections, will be abolished.
The Electoral Act will also conform to provisions of the Constitution on the indirect party-list election of 60 Senators, 60 female National Assembly members and 80 non-metropolitan Provincial Council members.
In addition, the number of nominators of candidates vying for National Assembly seats will be reduced from 10 to five and two Senators will be elected to represent persons with disabilities in accordance with Section 120(1)(d) of the Constitution.
Sections 129 and 130 of the principal Act, which provide for drawing lots in cases where the two top candidates in a Parliamentary or council election are tied, will be replaced by provisions for a run-off.
Online Reporter