Contagion Continued – Can President Emmerson Mnangagwa (Unfairly) Influence And Impact (The Direction Of) 2023 Harmonised Elections?

(President Emmerson) Mnangagwa is lifting restrictions in other areas, but not in elections. But the legality of this Statutory Instrument is doubtful By Rejoice Ngwenya In the last thesis, I opined on pursuing the Constitution’s learned position on the magnitude of President Mnangagwa’s executive powers after dissolution of Parliament and electoral date proclamation. This is because there is a multitude of myths, fallacies and misconceptions on how incumbent presidents in this part of the world determine the trajectory of elections. Here are the facts: it is true that President Mnangagwa – with the ‘consultation’ of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) - technically decides when elections can be held, but this has to be within specified constitutional provisions. It is also true that he plays a significant role in the appointment of ZEC commissioners; and that ZEC must not be under the influence of anyone – including the one who appoints commissioners. The footnote to this is that ‘appointment’ is not synonymous with ‘control’.