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The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has confirmed the suspension of by-elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The by-elections were expected to be held before the end of the year to fill vacant parliamentary and local government seats, according to the ZEC.
However, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care Constantino Chiwenga last Friday announced a ban on the by-elections, citing COVID-19 as a formidable pandemic in the country.
The ZEC’s chief elections officer Utoile Silaigwana said Wednesday that it is important for the commission to follow the advice from the necessary authorities and take precautions to curb the spread of the virus.
“The commission thus advises that the holding of by-elections remains suspended in line with public health regulations until the declaration of COVID-19 as a formidable pandemic has been lifted,” Silaigwana said.
The prolonged suspension of by-elections is permissible under constitution, he added.
The Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC A) led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa has heavily criticized the recent announcement made by Health Minister and Vice President Costantino Chiwenga to ban elections under the guise of COVID-19 regulations.
On the 2nd of October 2020, the Minister of Health published SI 225 of 2020 which indefinitely suspends the holding of by-elections in Zimbabwe ‘for the duration of the period of the declaration of COV1D-19 as a formidable epidemic”.
“Pursuant to subsection (2), the holding of any by-election to fill a casual vacancy in Parliament or in a local authority is, for the duration of the period of the declaration of COVID-19 as a formidable epidemic disease, suspended, and if such vacancy occurred while such declaration is in force, no part of the period from the date of such vacancy to the date of the end of the declaration shall be counted for the purposes of section 158(3) of the Constitution.”
However, the gesture has infuriated the opposition who felt the move was specifically targeted on them.
In a statement, the MDC Alliance said the ban of by-election is unconstitutional as vacant elective offices are to be filled within ninety days.
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