Section 15 of the constitution prescribes that the executive arm of the state would run affairs of the country until a new government comes into office.
The Zimbabwe state executive is comprised of the state president and his deputies, the prime minister and his deputies and cabinet.
Tsvangirai made the clarification following media reports that he would leave office at the end of parliament’s five year term in June 2013.
“I think our constitution clearly states that the prime minister’s office and his deputies will remain in office after the term of parliament expires since we are part of the government executive,” said Tsvangirai.
The PM said the signing of the constitution Bill by President Robert Mugabe does not mean elections will be held soon.
He said the signed Constitution Bill has 30 days to become law as there is a month window period of publication.
The 30 days will be followed by another month of voter registration. After the voter registration there will be another 30 days of voter inspection.
“In this respect, we cannot talk of elections in August given the United Nations World Tourism Summit to be held in Victoria Falls,” said Tsvangirai.
He said after the coming 90 days there could be a further proclamation of 45 days which is within the provisions of the GPA.
Tsvangirai said the legal parameters in the constitution cannot be avoided. So elections will be anytime after October.
He reiterated that corrupt party councillors will not stand as MDC-T candidates in coming elections. The same would apply to other party members found on the wrong side of the MDC-T code of conduct.
“Corrupt councillors and other members who betrayed the trust invested in them by residents and the party will not contest on MDC-T ticket. MDC-T says no to corruption which has become a national disease,” said Tsvangirai.
Tsvangirai said if MDC-T allows corrupt party officials to contest elections under its ticket, it will be betrayal of people’s aspirations and the struggle for democracy.
Zimbabwe is set to hold elections later this year after agreed benchmarks on the election road map have been met.
Post published in: News