Source: CAB (No. 3) heads for debate in Parliament – herald
Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
THE Constitution Amendment (No. 3) Bill will now be subjected to scrutiny by Parliament after recent public hearings, marking a major milestone in the ongoing quest to reform the country’s governance architecture, in line with the new developmental thrust.
Parliamentarians recently traversed the length and breadth of the country consulting citizens on the Bill, in accordance with Section 141 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
“Parliament must (a) facilitate public involvement in its legislative and other processes and in the processes of its committees (b) ensure that interested parties are consulted about Bills being considered by Parliament, unless such consultation is inappropriate or impracticable,” reads Section 141 of the Constitution.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail yesterday, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said the Bill will now be subjected to debate in Parliament soon after the lapse of the 90-day period prescribed by the supreme law.
He said the window for written submissions was still open.
“Consultations are still ongoing and Parliament is still receiving written submissions even though oral hearings were concluded. The relevant committees are now collating the data and producing a report on the consultations. These reports will then be presented soon after my second reading speech in Parliament,” said Minister Ziyambi.
“The second reading speech is done after the Bill’s introduction in the National Assembly when the 90-day period expires. That is after May 18.”
The committee report, he said, will be done soon after he has introduced the Bill.
“After the second reading speech that basically unpacks the provisions of the Bill, committees present their reports and then debate will be open to all MPs.
“The second reading speech basically outlines the objectives of the Bill, the rationale behind the Bill and attendant clauses.
“Once the debate is exhausted and l have clarified all issues raised, the Bill will be read the second time and the committee stage will commence.”
He said legislators will analyse the Bill clause by clause at the committee stage.
“This is when the whole House will be in committee going through the Bill clause by clause, approving or amending the same until all clauses are done,” he said.
After the committee stage, added Minister Ziyambi, the Bill will be subjected to a vote.
“After this, the Bill will be subjected to a vote and for it to pass, two-thirds of members must vote in favour. So, this process may take around two to three weeks and we will be done.”
After the Bill is approved, it will be read for the third time, signalling its passage.
After the Bill sails through, it will be transferred to the Senate, where it will be subjected to the same process.
Among the key highlights, the Bill seeks to extend the Presidential term to seven-year cycles from the current five.
Under the envisaged changes, the President will also be elected by a joint sitting of Parliament.
A new Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission is also being proposed, while oversight of the voters’ roll will be transferred to the Registrar-General.
Further, it allows the President to appoint 10 additional senators.
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