The Speaker of the National Assembly Parliament, Jacob
Mudenda, announced the vacancies formerly held by members of parliament elected
under the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), necessitating by-elections in
those two constituencies.
Mahere resigned on January 29, 2024, and Markham on January
31, 2024, in solidarity with former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa, who resigned
from the party on January 25, 2024, citing infiltration of the opposition.
Captured in Thursday’s Hansard, the Speaker confirmed
receiving letters from Mahere and Markham, respectively.
“On the 29th and 31st of January 2024, Parliament received
letters from Ms Fadzayi Mahere and Mr Allan Markham, respectively, advising of
their resignation from Parliament with immediate effect, in accordance with
Section 129 (1) (b) of the Constitution,” Mudenda said.
Section 129 (1) (b) states as follows: “… a seat of a
Member of Parliament becomes vacant upon the Member resigning his or her seat
by written notice to the President of the Senate or to the Speaker, as the case
may be…”.
“Ms Mahere was a Member of Parliament for Mount Pleasant
Constituency, and Mr. Markham was a Member of Parliament for Harare East
Constituency,” added the Speaker.
Mudenda said consequently, vacancies exist in the
membership of Parliament, in respect of the two constituencies.
“And in terms of Section 39 (1) of the Electoral Act
[Chapter 2:13], His Excellency the President and the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission shall duly be notified in writing of these vacancies,'” said the
Speaker.
Regarding when the by-elections in the two constituencies
might be held, section 158(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that:
Polling in by-elections to Parliament and local authorities
must take place within ninety days after the vacancies occurred unless the
vacancies occur within nine months before a general election is due to be held,
in which event the vacancies may remain unfilled until the general election.
Accordingly, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is
expected to notify President Mnangagwa for the by-elections in Mount Pleasant
and Harare East to be held within the prescribed period.
Analysts note it remains to be seen whether Mahere and
Markham will run in the by-elections for the constituencies that they resigned
from. CITE
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