Story by Panashe Nagoli
MORE legislators threw their weight behind the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill on Tuesday as debate resumed in the National Assembly, with lawmakers expressing broad support for key proposals aimed at reforming Zimbabwe’s electoral and governance framework.
The majority of Members of Parliament who contributed to the debate backed provisions extending the electoral cycle, transferring management of the voters’ roll to the Registrar-General’s Office and establishing an independent Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission.
The debate also produced one of its most notable moments when Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator for Budiriro North, Honourable Susan Matsunga, publicly endorsed major aspects of the proposed constitutional changes.
“I support the extension of the term of office of the President and us Parliamentarians because we have seen the good works from Trabablas to boreholes. He deserves extra time to finish the projects,” said Hon Matsunga.
Her remarks drew applause from across the House as she also backed the proposal for Parliament to elect the President.
“Additionally, I also support the proposal to elect the President in this Parliament. We, the legislators, hold all the required know-how to elect the President, and this will also ensure to deal with the issue of electoral violence which has been witnessed over the years,” she said.
As debate continued, legislators from different constituencies echoed support for reforms contained in the Bill, arguing that the measures would improve efficiency, strengthen institutions and create a more stable governance environment.
One legislator supported the establishment of the Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission, saying boundary delimitation should be handled by a specialised body.
“The boundaries that were created by ZEC have often been found causing conflict in societies. As such, we totally support the establishment of the Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission so that the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission only focuses on electoral management,” the legislator said.
Support was also expressed for transferring responsibility for the voters’ roll to the Registrar-General’s Office.
“The Minister of Home Affairs stood here and confessed about the modernisation of the Registrar-General’s Office. As such, it is time that we let the RG manage the voters’ roll to improve efficiency,” another MP said.
Other lawmakers argued that constitutional amendments were a normal part of democratic evolution.
“Constitutions, Madam Speaker, are not cast in stone, and Parliament has the constitutional responsibility to change them. This Bill ensures that the Constitution continues to serve the people and not holders of office,” said one legislator.
Several MPs also linked their support for the proposed seven-year electoral cycle to the need for continuity in implementing national development programmes.
“The President has done a lot of development in the country, and as such, it is only right that we extend the electoral cycle such that more time is given to him to see the completion of those projects,” another legislator said.
While support remained strong for most provisions, legislators maintained a rare bipartisan position on clauses proposing the transfer of functions from the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC).
Lawmakers from across the political divide argued that the Gender Commission should remain a standalone constitutional body.
“For me to stand as a woman is because of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, so we do not support the merging of this important commission with the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission,” one MP said.
Another legislator opposed proposals affecting traditional leaders.
“I say traditional leaders should not be allowed to be partisan because these people are the custodians of our traditions and should serve everyone,” the legislator said.
Concerns were also raised over the future of gender equality mechanisms.
“The dissolution of the Gender Commission risks eroding the strides that Zimbabwe has made in gender equality, and as such, we say this should not happen,” another MP said.
Following completion of the debate, the Bill will proceed to the committee stage, where legislators will scrutinise each clause individually before Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, responds to submissions ahead of a vote on the proposed law.
The growing support witnessed during debate places the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill firmly on course for its next parliamentary stages as lawmakers continue deliberations on one of the most significant constitutional reform proposals in recent years.
