'The nation should not rely on Minister Biti' - Legal expert

The Chairman of the Zimbabwe Institute of Legal Studies, Mr Godwills Masimirembwa says excuses by the Ministry of Finance over funding of elections does not hold water as the continuous delay to have by-elections is equal to subverting the will of the people in the 28 constituencies left vacant following the death or expulsion of lawmakers over the past four years.

"The nation should not rely on Minister Biti, who will continue saying that there is no money for elections. It is unconstitutional to have even one constituency not represented in Parliament. Elections in the country are due and surely the nation should not wait and look while views of the 28 constituencies are being subverted," said Mr Masimirembwa.

Constitutional lawyer, Professor Lovemore Madhuku questioned government's reluctance to the hold by-elections in the 28 constituencies, saying this is long overdue.

"The excuses by government that there is no money to conduct by-elections are insignificant considering  that the High Court  of Zimbabwe has already ruled in favour of the people to elect legislators who represent their wishes," noted Professor Madhuku.

Clerk of Parliament, Mr Austin Zvoma, who confirmed that 28 parliamentary seats are currently vacant, has described the situation whereby legislators who passed away are not replaced for a period stretching to four years as abnormal.

The constituencies became vacant due to death, expulsion and elevation of some legislators to higher positions.

Observers are of the opinion that hundreds of thousands of people in the 28 constituencies should be afforded their constitutional rights to choose new legislators by way of a ballot.