HARARE, Feb. 16 (NewsDay Live) – Election watchdog, the Election Resource Centre (ERC), has castigated a proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill seeking to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term of office to seven years.
Under the proposed changes, the President would no longer be elected directly by millions of Zimbabwean voters, but instead by the country’s 350 elected Members of Parliament.
In a statement, the ERC said the proposal lacks a factual and democratic foundation, arguing that it fails to take into account Zimbabwe’s history of disputed elections.
“The proposal ignores key reform recommendations that would improve the credibility of elections in Zimbabwe and ultimately reduce disputes and political polarisation,” part of the statement reads.
The watchdog also noted that the proposed amendment would not apply to individuals who occupied the office prior to the changes.
“Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, an amendment to a term-limit provision, the effect of which is to extend the length of time that a person may hold or occupy any public office, does not apply in relation to any person who held or occupied that office, or an equivalent office, at any time before the amendment,” the ERC said.
Opposition leaders and human rights advocates have vowed to block what they describe as a fresh bid by the ruling ZANU-PF to amend the Constitution, warning that any attempt to extend President Mnangagwa’s tenure without a public referendum will be met with stiff resistance.
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