Zimbabwean News You Can Trust
The Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affair, Ziyambi Ziyambi has said Zimbabwe’s upcoming harmonised elections are scheduled to take place sometime between July 26 and August 26 of this year.
His sentiments comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to proclaim the election date soon.
Ziyambi also told a local publication that preparations for the polls are, however, at an advanced stage.
He said, “The preparatory work for holding this year’s harmonised general election is at an advanced stage.
“The next step that awaits the electorate is the announcement of the election date, through a proclamation by His Excellency, President Mnangagwa.
“It is anticipated that the elections will be held between July 26 and August 26.
“This is in line with Section 158 (1) of the Constitution, which provides that a general election must be held so that polling takes place not more than 30 days before the expiry of the five-year period upon swearing in of the President and/or Parliament.
“Consequently, this will result in the dissolution of Parliament at midnight on the day before the first polling day.
“As you are aware, the Government has budgeted $76 billion for the 2023 harmonised elections, to which $53 billion is earmarked for the elections.
“We urge ZEC to utilise the available resources set aside for it in order to ease the burden on the taxpayer. With that said, Treasury will try its best to mobilise adequate resources for the process.
“Treasury was presently mobilising additional resources for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which has tabled a $130 billion budget.”
The last harmonised elections were held on July 30, 2018, with President Mnangagwa being sworn into office on August 26.
