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Parties must come with a legal framework before 2018 elections- Mashakada
01 Apr 2017 at 07:08hrs | Views
MDC-T senior official Tapiwa Mashakada has said it would be foolish for the opposition political parties to allow the nation to go for election without
a legal framework which will allow smooth transition of power from President Robert Mugabe to any winner of the polls.
Zimbabwe is gearing towards the 2018 elections amid revelations all political parties are in the campaign mood.
"Its foolish for political parties to go into the 2018 elections without first coming up with a legal framework for a smooth transfer of power from President Mugabe to the President-elect. Basically the Presidential Transition Act (PTA) provides for a calm, peaceful and orderly transfer of power. In some African countries, Ghana for example, before they had a PTA transition was dramatic and characterized by forced seizure of assets, and forced removal from office," he said.
"The Act will provide for the setting up of a Presidential Transition Team appointed by the outgoing President and the incoming President. The Speaker of the National Parliament is part of the Team. The Act should provide for an Administrator General who I think should be the Auditor General who will
audit and compile an inventory of public assets including movable and immovable property in the hands of outgoing President and his Ministers and
public servants."
He said the PTA should provide for the vacation of office by the incumbent and the swearing in of the President-elect, the swearing of the Speaker and MPs and the administration of the Oath of allegiance to the Army, Prison, Security and Police Generals.
"The PTA will address everything including the announcement of results and the morning after. I think Political parties should put this PTA on the
table for negotiation with Zanu PF before the next elections. Understanding statecraft is very important. Parties will avoid a situation where there is
a vacuum after the announcement of results and before the swearing -in ceremony," he said.
"To rally on the current Constitution is tantamount to giving the outgoing President the discretion to change his mind. The Yayah Janneh or Bagbo
effect. Short of this, opposition parties will be allowing Zanu PF and its leader to be the player and referee pari pasu. The PTA will vaccinate
against the abuse of the power of incumbency and promote transparency."
a legal framework which will allow smooth transition of power from President Robert Mugabe to any winner of the polls.
Zimbabwe is gearing towards the 2018 elections amid revelations all political parties are in the campaign mood.
"Its foolish for political parties to go into the 2018 elections without first coming up with a legal framework for a smooth transfer of power from President Mugabe to the President-elect. Basically the Presidential Transition Act (PTA) provides for a calm, peaceful and orderly transfer of power. In some African countries, Ghana for example, before they had a PTA transition was dramatic and characterized by forced seizure of assets, and forced removal from office," he said.
"The Act will provide for the setting up of a Presidential Transition Team appointed by the outgoing President and the incoming President. The Speaker of the National Parliament is part of the Team. The Act should provide for an Administrator General who I think should be the Auditor General who will
audit and compile an inventory of public assets including movable and immovable property in the hands of outgoing President and his Ministers and
public servants."
He said the PTA should provide for the vacation of office by the incumbent and the swearing in of the President-elect, the swearing of the Speaker and MPs and the administration of the Oath of allegiance to the Army, Prison, Security and Police Generals.
"The PTA will address everything including the announcement of results and the morning after. I think Political parties should put this PTA on the
table for negotiation with Zanu PF before the next elections. Understanding statecraft is very important. Parties will avoid a situation where there is
a vacuum after the announcement of results and before the swearing -in ceremony," he said.
"To rally on the current Constitution is tantamount to giving the outgoing President the discretion to change his mind. The Yayah Janneh or Bagbo
effect. Short of this, opposition parties will be allowing Zanu PF and its leader to be the player and referee pari pasu. The PTA will vaccinate
against the abuse of the power of incumbency and promote transparency."
Source - Byo24News
