Zimbabwe's Senate Approves Bill to Delay the Presidential Election and Overhaul the Vote
The bill would replace direct presidential elections with lawmakers’ selection and extend presidential and parliamentary terms to seven years.
- On Wednesday, the Zimbabwe Senate approved constitutional amendments removing direct presidential elections, with 75 senators voting to delay the next election from 2028 to 2030 and extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa's term by two years.
- Parliament pushed the legislation through late-night sessions, with the lower house overwhelmingly approving the measure last week; the bill overhauls presidential selection, replacing direct votes with lawmaker selection and extending terms to seven years from five.
- Although Mnangagwa previously stated he would step down when his second term expires in 2028, his ruling ZANU-PF party championed the amendments; supporters argue Parliament can enact the changes because the constitutional two-term limit remains intact.
- Four senators opposed the measure, while critics argue extending presidential terms requires a referendum; others face alleged harassment and detention as political tensions in Zimbabwe heighten following the legislative push.
- Despite the Senate's approval, Zimbabwe's courts are yet to rule on several legal challenges to the proposal, and the amendments await Mnangagwa's signature to become law, complicating the path forward.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Zimbabwe Senate approves bill to extend presidential term
Zimbabwe’s Senate on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved controversial constitutional amendments that would keep President Emmerson Mnangagwa in office until 2030, giving the changes full parliamentary support after earlier consent from the lower house. The amendments are among the most contentious political issues in the country where 83-year-old Mnangagwa’s Zanu-PF party holds a strong majority in parliament and has ruled since independence in 1…
Associated Press News
Zimbabwe's Senate approves bill to delay the presidential election and overhaul the vote
Zimbabwe’s Senate has approved constitutional amendments that would remove direct presidential elections and extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s term.
Zimbabwe's upper house approves bill to extend President Mnangwana's rule to 2030
HARARE, June 24 - Zimbabwe's upper house of parliament on Wednesday approved a bill to extend presidential terms from five to seven years, which will allow current President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030. Read more at straitstimes.com.
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