Harare, (New Ziana )- Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi on Thursday said the adoption of the Constitutional Amendment Number three Bill by the National Assembly marks a historic moment in Zimbabwe’s legislative process.
Speaking in Parliament after the Bill secured the required two-thirds majority, after 216 legislators voted in favour and 42 against, Ziyambi said the people of Zimbabwe had spoken through their elected representatives.
“I think it is the first time that we have had so many MPs debating and contributing and enriching the text of the bill,” he said.
He described the two-week debate as robust and constructive, commending both Members of Parliament and the public for their contributions.
The Bill’s key provisions include abolishing direct presidential elections, replacing them with a vote by Parliament.
It also extends presidential, parliamentary and local authority terms from five to seven years.
From the National Assembly, the Bill will move to the Senate where it must go through three readings before a final vote.
In the Senate, ZANU-PF holds 33 of the 60 elected seats. The CCC holds 27. The remaining 20 seats are held by 18 chiefs and 2 representatives of people with disabilities, making a bloc expected to back the Bill.
If the Senate passes it, the Bill goes to the President for signing into law.
New Ziana
