Mwonzora Demands Secret Vote On Constitutional Amendment Bill

MDC president Douglas Mwonzora has called on the Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, to hold a secret ballot when MPs vote on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No 3) Bill (CAB 3).

In formal submissions delivered to Parliament earlier this week, Mwonzora argued that a secret ballot is the only way to safeguard the democratic integrity of the legislative process.

“Parliament stands to materially benefit from this amendment. So will the President. To make these two institutions the alpha and omega on this Bill is to bring a serious conflict of interest,” he said.

“I would like to respect the voting of parliamentarians as a genuine opinion on the Bill during voting. I would like to respect the voting of Parliamentarians as a genuine reflection of their individual views.

“I, therefore, kindly request that the voting on the Bill in both houses of Parliament be by secret ballot. Kindly please advise me as to your attitude to my humble request.”

Following the mandatory 90-day public notice period, which ended in mid-May, the Bill now moves to the floor of Parliament. MPs in both the National Assembly and the Senate will debate it before a vote is held.

To become law, CAB3 requires a two-thirds special majority in both houses.

If passed, the Bill will introduce some of the most radical changes to Zimbabwe’s political structure since independence.

These include removing the public’s power to elect the President and handing it to Parliament, and extending the term of office for the President, Parliament and local authorities from five to seven years.

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