The A to Z of programming August 3rd 6th on SW Radio Africa

osite in areas known to be predominantly for the opposition.
Observers say confusion and rigging are likely to dominate the running of the elections, reminiscent of the 2002 scenario that prevailed in Harare when the electorate had to bear with the cumbersome process of voting for the president, mayor and councillor in their constituencies.
Sources within government told The Zimbabwean this week that the drawing of constituency boundaries has been finished and the report submitted to Mugabe, adding the ruling party has already started preparing for the establishment of its candidates for the constituencies.
Mugabe recently announced the introduction of the Constitutional Amendment Number 18 Bill soon to be tabled in parliament, which seeks to combine parliamentary and presidential elections. It also seeks to increase seats in both the House of Assembly and the Senate from 150 to 210 and from 66 to 84 respectively.
Justice and Parliamentary Affairs minister, Patrick Chinamasa declined to comment on the matter. Constitutional Law expert Lovemore Madhuku said the amendment bill stated that the Senate constituencies would be derived from combining those of the House of Assembly. “The bill is very clear and it says two or more House of Assembly constituencies will be combined to form one Senate constituency,” he said.
The Zanu (PF) regime reintroduced the two-way parliamentary system in 2005 by calling for the revival of the Senate, a project largely viewed as another of Mugabe’s to create a retirement place for his old guard cronies. – Staff reporter
Butcheries, bakeries close