The case was heard in chambers. The Constitutional Court is expected to deliberate on the matter from Wednesday next week.
The Southern African Development Community, at a special summit on Zimbabwe held on June 15, recommended to the Zimbabwean government to approach the Constitutional Court to seek an extension of the July 31 date for the general election..
This followed the Constitutional Court’s directive to President Robert Mugabe on May 31 to proclaim dates for elections, which the Court said should be held not later than July 31.
The Constitutional Court ruling followed an application by one Jealousy Mawarire in which he was seeking an order compelling Mugabe to announce election dates after the expiry of Parliament’s seventh life.
President Mugabe, in compliance with the ruling, moved to proclaim July 31 as the election date last week.
Chinamasa, in his application, argued that the case on election dates should be heard on an urgent basis as July 31 was fast approaching.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice, Godfrey Chidyausiku today also granted that a constitutional application by the Zimbabwe Development Party seeking an order for government to fund its election campaign be heard on an urgent basis next week.
The ZDP is arguing that it is entitled to $1.5 million from government under the rules of state funding for political parties and has requested that elections be put on hold until the case is heard.
However, the state is arguing that the party does not qualify for such funding.
Post published in: News