Jubilee, CORD agree on way forward in resolving IEBC standoff

Jubilee, CORD agree on way forward in resolving IEBC standoff

The opposition has once again suspended its Monday anti-IEBC protests citing goodwill from government, a move that spares the nation another round of demos that have in recent weeks turned tragic.

CORD says talks with Jubilee on contentious issues raised in its demands were progressing well and there is hope that a deal might be struck next week to pave way for the Joint Technical Committee to begin substantive dialogue on reforming the IEBC.

Sources tell Citizen TV the bulk of the contentious issues have been agreed upon and on the remaining bit, both sides are considering a compromise deal.

While CORD had insisted on the joint committee to vote on its report as a bloc, US Ambassador Bob Godec spearheading the talks has proposed a two thirds majority vote, which means: in a 14-member committee as proposed, for approval of its report, it will require at least nine members to vote in favour of the report.

CORD has also been urged to cede ground on its position that only the two principals from both coalitions sign the report before it is tabled in Parliament but instead the report be signed by majority and minority leaders. After this, the two principals will hold a joint press conference to lobby their MPs for the approval of the report in Parliament. But CORD, through its secretariat CEO Norman Magaya, insists on the principals signing the document as the government restated its readiness to begin dialogue.

Jubilee has also proposed that instead of the select committee having joint secretaries from outside Parliament, the Parliamentary record book – the Hansard – be used to document the committee’s proceedings.

There is hope that once both parties are agreeable to these terms, a deal might be struck by Wednesday and the motion presented before the House Business Committee for the establishment of the Joint Select Committee on IEBC.

Nonetheless, the terms of reference for the committee will be limited to the probe of graft allegations and misconduct of IEBC commissioners and the secretariat. If found culpable, Jubilee proposes the commissioners be removed procedurally from office by petitioning Parliament, a process anticipated to take three months and to be completed by August.

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