President Mnangagwa Signs Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 Into Law, Bringing Major Reforms
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 3 Bill into law, bringing into effect a series of major changes to the country’s governance and legal structures.
The legislation, commonly referred to as Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB 3), became law after receiving presidential assent and was subsequently published in the Government Gazette.
Major Changes to Presidential Elections
One of the key amendments introduced by CAB 3 is a change to the way the President is elected.
Under the new law, the President will now be elected by Parliament instead of through a direct national vote by citizens.
The amendment also extends the terms of office for the President and Members of Parliament from five years to seven years.
Changes to Senate and State Institutions
The new law gives the President powers to appoint an additional 10 senators, increasing the size of the Senate from 80 to 90 members.
It also introduces changes to the administration of voter registration, transferring responsibility from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Registrar-General’s Office.
A new commission will take over the responsibility of carrying out constituency and ward delimitation.
Judicial Reforms Introduced
CAB 3 also makes changes to the judiciary, including the creation of a new position of Judge President of the Supreme Court.
The amendment requires the Attorney-General to meet qualifications equivalent to those required for appointment as a Supreme Court judge.
The law further removes public interviews as part of the process for selecting judicial officers.
Succession and Constitutional Court Changes
The amendment provides a new procedure in the event that the presidency becomes vacant.
A Vice-President will assume the role of Acting President, while Parliament will be required to elect a replacement within 30 days.
The Constitutional Court will also be able to hear appeals involving important points of law where it grants permission for such matters to proceed.
Law Takes Effect After Parliamentary Approval
CAB 3 passed through both Houses of Parliament, with the National Assembly approving the final amendments last week before the Bill was sent for presidential assent.
Following the President’s signature and gazetting, the Constitutional Amendment Act is now officially part of Zimbabwe’s legal framework.
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