Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has raised alarm over the Electoral Amendment Bill that is currently before Parliament saying it fails to align electoral laws to the Constitution.
In a statement, CCC national spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said the Bill is meant to disqualify aspiring candidates.
“It fails to align Zimbabwe’s Electoral Law to the Constitution, it does not take into account the recommendations of the 2018 Election Observer Missions on electoral reforms and it is not compliant with regional and international electoral treaties, guidelines and standards.
“This proposed amendment requires aspiring candidates to make solemn declarations that they have no conviction of at least 12 months prior to the election. This amendment is calculated to ensure our members who are facing targeted prosecutions and are victims of clear weaponization of the law to silence the opposition do not stand as candidates.
“This implied disqualification clause for Parliamentary candidates violates and is ultra vires the Constitution. The Constitution sets out the only competent grounds for disqualification of Members of Parliament in sections 121, 125 and 129. Crucially, there is no mention of disqualification due to prior conviction before tenure of office,” said Mahere
She added “The draft amendments have been put forward by ZANU PF to suit their ends with no public consultation whatsoever. The Electoral Reform Bill is designed to create the impression that electoral reforms are being implemented when in fact, the proposed amendments take away more than they give and seek to exclude effective political participation in the forthcoming elections by the CCC.
“Despite the constitutional obligation under S68 to consult the public when administrative action of this nature is undertaken, there is no record of public or stakeholder consultations in the lead-up to the draft amendments. No meetings of political parties nor Civic Society Organizations were convened by either by ZEC or the Ministry of Justice to consider recommendations from stakeholders. Written submissions were not solicited either.”
