Prof Jonathan Moyo’s statement that Zimbabwe in 1980 used Parliament to elect a President is half backed and distortion of history.
In 1980 the first President Rev Canaan Sodhindo Banana was elected by Parliament but Prof Jonathan Moyo must have given readers information on how the Members of Parliament were elected. It is unfair to history and facts to only give the end product of Presidential electoral process in Parliament. An election of the President is a process. The whole process should have been explained to citizens.
In 1980 the Members of Parliament were elected through a “Proportional Representative”. In this process the voters never voted a particular individual. This meant citizens voted for a political party. This then gave Mps the right to vote for President on their first sitting in Parliament.
It is wrong for Prof Jonathan Moyo to then try to convince citizens that a “First Past The Post” elected Mp to then elect a President on behalf of voters.
“First Past The Post” elected Mp can be very unpopular in his/ her Constituency.
Let take an example of a Constituency X. There are 20 registered voters and 5 candidates. The candidates are A, B, C, D & E. The results of the election are as follows ÷
A—6 votes
B–5 votes
C–4 votes
D–3 votes
E–2 vote
The winner in a “First Past The Post” is candidate A. The results show that A is not commanding majority of voters in the Constituency…..only 6 voters support him but 14 voters are against him
In the above example A will be responsible or has the mandate to elect President. The President in this situation is not a true reflection of the will of the people.
Prof Jonathan Moyo gave South Africa as example of Parliament electing the President. However, the Professor was shy with information to readers that South Africa uses Proportional Representative system of election.
Prof Jonathan Moyo never pointed out that this amendment gives the incumbent unfair electoral advantage. The President appoints 10 Senators and by amending the Traditional leaders Act he will have unfair electoral college in Parliament. The Chiefs who will be Senators will be compromised as the same as those appointed by President.
Prof Jonathan Moyo as learned as he is, then he must always give readers and citizens full information. If he becomes so mean with correct information then he will mislead Zimbabweans.
🇿🇼🤚🏿🇿🇼 Patriotic Papa JC speaks when things are not good for citizens who want better change in Zimbabwe
