Staff reporter
Government has approved the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act which seek to enhance and strengthen the country's electoral processes in the forthcoming harmonized elections.
Speaking soon after the 29th Cabinet session yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said that the Electoral Amendment Bill seeks to improve women and youths representation at different levels of governance.
“Cabinet received and approved the Electoral Amendment Bill 2022 as presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi. The nation is being informed that the Bill seeks to amend the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13] to provide for, among others; the timeframe within which National Assembly and Local Authority candidates can withdraw from contesting in an election and incorporation of the 30% women quota as well as the youth quota,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
Minister Mutsvangwa further said that the Bill will also amend the definition of proof of identity. She added that in terms of the constitution of Zimbabwe, one has to be a citizen in order to qualify as a voter and said that only valid Passport or National Identity Card will be required as proof of identity.
Minister Mutsvangwa added that once the Electoral Amendment Bill is enacted into law, it will assist in ensuring that only citizens are able to vote in an election; that proper candidates are allowed to contest in an election; providing clarity on when and how a candidate can withdraw their candidature in an election so as to afford ZEC sufficient time to make changes to the design of the ballot; and advising the electorate of any changes to the candidature in an election.
Meanwhile, former Cabinet Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo who last week thrashed Citizens Coalition for Change’s (CCC) Pre-Election Pact on Electoral Reforms (PREPARE) document noted on his Twitter handle that Zimbabwe's electoral system has evolved and undergone major reforms; which make its legal framework arguably one of the most progressive.
