The Herald (Zimbabwe)

Chigumba reappointm­ent a show of confidence

- Wallace Ruzvidzo Herald Reporter

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has reappointe­d Justice Priscilla Chigumba as the Chairperso­n of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) for another six-year term in terms of Section 238 (5) of the Constituti­on with effect from February 1.

Political analysts yesterday said the reappointm­ent was in line with the country’s Constituti­on and a vote of confidence in Justice Chigumba.

Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya relayed the reappointm­ent to Justice Chigumba in a letter yesterday.

“I am pleased to advise that His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde. E.D. Mnangagwa has, in terms of Section 238(5) of the Constituti­on of Zimbabwe (No. 20) Act 2013 reappointe­d you as the Chairperso­n of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission for a period of six years with effect from 1 February 2024,” he said.

Under the Constituti­on the chairperso­n of ZEC can serve two six-year terms. Because Justice Chigumba is a judge, she can return to the High Court at the end of her terms.

In an interview, political analyst Dr Hamadzirip­i Dube said Justice Chigumba had improved ZEC systems during her first term.

“The President has a constituti­onal mandate of appointing anyone to be the ZEC chairperso­n. By re-appointing Justice Priscilla Chigumba it is in conformity with the Constituti­on of Zimbabwe.

“He does not do it without consultati­on as he is a listening President. Justice Chigumba led twice the processes of harmonised elections and did it differentl­y improving the ZEC systems and dealing with anomalies promptly.

“Her reappointm­ent is in line with the constituti­on and gives more time to improve and analyse errors as well as more ways of electoral process or ZEC system reticulati­on,” he said.

Catholic University of Zimbabwe lecturer Dr Tongai Dana said Justice Chigumba’s re-appointmen­t would ensure continuity at ZEC.

“From where I stand, Justice Chigumba’s re-appointmen­t as the Chairperso­n of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) by President Mnangagwa can be seen as a positive move for continuity and stability in the electoral process.

“It suggests that her previous performanc­e was deemed satisfacto­ry and that she has demonstrat­ed the necessary skills and expertise to lead the ZEC effectivel­y,” he said.

Justice Chigumba obtained her law degree in the United Kingdom and joined Gollop and Blank law firm in 1994.

She practiced as a lawyer for six years before joining PG Industries as assistant company secretary and later formed her own law firm.

Justice Chigumba joined the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliament­ary Affairs as a magistrate in 2004.

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Justice Chigumba

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