DPM says Mugabe cant call vote

Mutambara explained that Mugabe must consult the other principals in the inclusive government before calling for elections. He said the only other thing Mugabe could do is pull out of the Global Political Agreement, which would also necessitate elections.

Under the current status he cannot dissolve Parliament and call for elections, Mutambara said. ?

Lovemore Madhuku, chairperson of the National Constitutional Assembly, agreed with Mutambaras assessment, saying that as long as Mugabe is still working in the context of the GPA, he must deal with elections in consultation with the other principals, particularly the prime minister.

But when asked what would happen if the principals disagreed on how and when to proceed with the polls, Madhuku said that Mugabe can always then use his senior position and revert to the powers that he has as head of state.

That has always been the difficulty of the GPA that some things may not be agreed to by all involved. I think the solution there is that the president would ultimately fall back on his inherent power as the head of state to then dissolve parliament, he added.

On the issue of the polls, the Deputy Prime Minister said it was wise for the government to make reforms which would guarantee that the elections would be undisputed.

But he also pointed to economic and media reforms, the completion of the constitution-making exercise and national healing as examples of what needed to be done before holding elections.