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Herald Reporter
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has appointed Cde Hildah Bhobho of Zanu-PF to fill the Chegutu-Mhondoro Senate seat (Mashonaland West) that fell vacant following the elevation of Cde Edna Madzongwe to be President of the Senate.ZEC chairperson Justice Rita Makarau made the announcement in a notice published in the Extraordinary Government Gazette published on January 23.

“The public is hereby notified, in terms of section 39 (7)(a) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13) that Hildah Bhobho, a registered voter in Ward 24 of Chegutu Rural District Council, residing at 872, Chegutu, who was nominated by Zimbabwe African National Union Patriotic Front (Zanu-PF) party to fill in the Senate that occurred following the election of Edna Madzongwe as President of the Senate, has been appointed as a Senator with effect from the date of publication of this notice,” read the notice.

No by-elections are held to replace Senators as they are chosen under proportional representation and the political party that holds the seat is expected to provide replacement when a vacancy  arises.

According to the operations of the law in line with Section 129 (1) (d) of the Constitution, the seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant upon the member becoming president of the Senate or Speaker of a member of the other house or on being appointed Vice President of the country.

This means Cde Madzongwe’s Chegutu-Mhondoro senatorial seat fell vacant when she was appointed Senate President.

According to the law, when that happens, it is the responsibility of Parliament to advise the electoral body of such vacancies for a replacement to be forwarded to ZEC.