Electoral Act: Individuals Convicted Of Public Violence May Not Contest In An Election

The Permanent Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana has said the Electoral Act of 2022 would bar individuals convicted of some offences including public violence from participating in elections.

He said in a Twitter post:

Individuals convicted of offences related to public violence, breach of trust and dishonesty at least a year before sitting of the nomination court would be ineligible to contest for public office under proposed amendments to the Electoral Act

Mangwana’s remarks come after Cabinet Tuesday 04 October 2022 approved the Electoral Amendment Bill 2022, which seeks to amend the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13] to provide for, among others: the timeframe within which National Assembly and Local Authority candidates can withdraw from contesting in an election; incorporation of the 30% women quota as well as the youth quota; and amendment of the definition of proof of identity. In terms of the constitution of Zimbabwe, one has to be a citizen in order to qualify as a voter.

Meanwhile, award-winning journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono, says the legislation is an indication that the ruling party is afraid of the opposition hence the plan to lock them up. He said:

Even in his last sad days, Robert Mugabe never locked up opponents in jail so that they wouldn’t contest him in an election