Proclamation

HIS EXCELLENCY THE HONOURABLE EMMERSON DAMBUDZO MNANGAGWA, G.C.Z.M., President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of Zimbabwe.

WHEREAS, by section 143(1) of the Constitution, Parliament is elected for a five year term which runs from the date on which the President-elect is sworn in and assumes office in terms of section 94(1)(a) of the Constitution;

AND WHEREAS, after the last election, the President was sworn in on the 22nd day of August 2013, and the five year period ends on the 21st day of August, 2018;

AND WHEREAS it is provided by section 144(1) of the Constitution that where Parliament has not earlier passed resolutions to dissolve in terms of section 143(2), the President must by proclamation call and set dates for a general election to be held within a period prescribed in section 158;

AND WHEREAS, in terms of section 158(1)(a) of the Constitution, a general election must be held so that polling takes place not more than thirty days before the expiry of the five year period specified in section 143;