LEGISLATORS in both the National Assembly and Senate are today expected to commence debate on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s preliminary Delimitation report following an analysis carried out by an ad hoc committee established for the purpose by Parliament.
The ad hoc committee presented its report to Parliament on Friday last week with members expected to debate the findings today and tomorrow.
ZEC submitted its report to President Mnangagwa on December 26 and the President had it tabled in Parliament as required by law.
In its findings, the ad hoc committee said ZEC delimited some ward boundaries below the maximum and minimum thresholds as stipulated by the Constitution and also noted that ZEC did not provide sufficient information to justify the changes it made to some ward and constituency boundaries.
“In its analysis, the Committee however, came up with key findings and observations which include the following; ward boundaries that were delimited above and below the maximum and minimum thresholds, insufficient information in descriptions of wards, a highly complicated coordinate system, unspecified map scale, unlabelled wards, topographic features not presented on the maps, maps that do not show old and existing boundaries, lack of justification on changes in boundaries in specific wards and constituencies, polling stations not indicated on the maps, use of preliminary census data; and possible misinterpretation of the minimum and maximum threshold,” reads part of the report.
According to the preliminary report, there were notable changes in seven provinces, with some constituencies collapsed and others merged.
The ad hoc committee recommended that ZEC reconsiders some of the changes it made to ward and constituency boundaries.
The Committee also said while it appreciated that it was not possible for ZEC to meet the expectations of all stakeholders in the exercise, it was of the view that all the issues raised that are inconsistent with provisions of Section 161 of the Constitution, will be resolved before the finalisation of the Report on the delimitation exercise.
“As espoused in Section 119 of the Constitution, Parliament has an obligation to protect the Constitution and ensure that the State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level, act constitutionally and in the national interest,” the ad-hoc committee said in its report.
After its debate, Parliament will then submit its report with recommendations to the President, who will in turn hand it over to ZEC to consider any recommended changes, if they have merit. ZEC will then submit its final report that would then be officially gazetted. The electoral body is required to carry out a delimitation exercise soon after a national population census which is held every 10 years. – The Herald
