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“In Parliament, we have 16 House of Assembly seats, 10 Senatorial seats and two chiefs’ seats.
“It will be just as expensive as holding general elections.”
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai told journalists in Harare yesterday that they discussed the issue at principals’ level.
He also reaffirmed that there were more vacant seats besides the three that were ruled on by the courts.
“President Mugabe will be making an announcement soon. I do not think it will be about the three constituencies only,” he said.
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PM Tsvangirai said it would be more costly for the country to have by-elections now when it is expecting general elections in the next six or eight months.
The three seats for which the High Court ordered the by-elections became vacant after three MDC legislators — Abednico Bhebe (Nkayi South), Njabulo Mguni (Bulilima East) and Norman Mpofu (Lupane East) — were expelled from the MDC and were subsequently relieved of their parliamentary positions.
The three former legislators instituted the court action after declaring their interest in contesting for the constituencies as independent candidates.
Justice Nicholas Ndou last October directed President Mugabe to ensure the by-elections for the three constituencies were held despite the financial challenges Government is facing.
The judgment was upheld by the Supreme Court on July 12.
Online Reporter