Zim to hold polls by June 29 – minister
2013-03-21 12:00
Special Report
Chinese vice premier Wang Yang has urged Zimbabwe to ensure peace and political stability ahead of elections this year.
Harare - Zimbabwe will hold elections by June 29 to end a
shaky unity government formed four years ago between President Robert Mugabe
and his rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, state media reported on
Thursday.
"It is imperative to have the elections by June 29
because we will no longer have a parliament by then, and a country cannot run
without a parliament," The Herald newspaper quoted Justice Minister
Patrick Chinamasa as saying.
"As the minister of justice I am not entertaining the
holding of elections after June 29 unless circumstances beyond my control
happen."
His remarks came days after Zimbabweans endorsed a draft
charter, one of the key preconditions for new elections to choose a successor
to the power-sharing government that was negotiated by regional mediators after
the 2008 disputed elections.
Both Mugabe and Tsvangirai back the draft, which curtails
the president's powers and sets a limit of two five-year terms.
Over three million Zimbabweans voted last Saturday in favour
of the draft constitution.
Many said they had not seen, read or understood its
contents.
The charter is expected to be gazetted next week before
being submitted to parliament and then given the seal of approval by Mugabe.
Tsvangirai earlier this week welcomed the referendum result,
saying it "sets in motion a new and democratic paradigm for the
country".
- SAPA
