ZIMBABWE

I - The draft Constitution which was submitted to a referendum on 12 and 13 February 2000 provided for the restoration[1] of a second parliamentary assembly to be called the Senate, consisting of 60 senators (of at least 40 years of age) and including :

§  5 senators elected by proportional representation in each of the 10 provinces ;

§ 10 senators elected among the traditional chiefs.

 This draft Constitution was rejected by 55 % of the votes.

 II - During the 81st meeting of the political bureau of ZANU-PF in June 2005, President Mugabe presented a draft for constitutional revision in order to re-establish the bicameral system.

This constitutional amendment was adopted by Parliament on 30 August 2005, then promulgated and published on 14 September 2005. The first elections for the re-established Senate were held on 26 November 2005.

 I - COMPOSITION

66 members:

- 50 directly elected members (5 each from the country's 10 provinces);

- the President and Deputy President of Council of Chiefs;

- 8 traditional chiefs;

- 6 members appointed by the President.

II - ELECTORAL SYSTEM

- Voting system: one-round simple majority vote.

50 constituencies.

Age of eligibility: 40 years old.

- Compatibility of the senatorial term of office with positions such as minister or vice-minister.