National Assembly of Zimbabwe

The National Assembly of Zimbabwe, previously the House of Assembly until 2013, is the lower house of the Parliament of Zimbabwe. It was established upon Zimbabwe's independence in 1980 as one of two chambers of parliament. Between the abolition of the Senate in 1989 and its reestablishment in 2005, the House of Assembly was the sole chamber of parliament.

National Assembly of Zimbabwe 15 other official names Shona: Dare reVanodzika Mitemo yeNyika Ndebele: Indlu Yabameli Chewa: Nyumba Ya Malamulo Chibarwe: Boka Rawanaikha Mitemo Yadziko Kalanga: Lubahhe gwebaMilili beMitunhu muPhalamente Koisan: Ha Ndjuu Tcuan Ana Kua Kui E Nambya: Igota Lyabamilili Ndau: Bandhla Revanoemese Mirawu Yenyika Shangani: Nhlengeletano ya Rixaka Sesotho: Sehlopano Sa Sechaba Tonga: Ng’anda Yaansi Yamilawu Tswana: Batsenelela Phuthego Ya Setshaba Venda: Guvhangano ḽa Lushaka Xhosa: Inkundla Yesizwe
10th Parliament of Zimbabwe
Type
Type	Lower house of the Parliament of Zimbabwe
Term limits	None
History
Founded	18 April 1980 (1980-04-18)
Preceded by	Parliament of Rhodesia
New session started	4 September 2023
Leadership
Speaker	Jacob Mudenda, ZANU-PF since 22 August 2013
Deputy Speaker	Tsitsi Gezi, ZANU-PF
Clerk	Kennedy Mugove Chokuda
Structure
Seats	280
Political groups	Government (192)   ZANU-PF (192) Opposition (88)   CCC (88) Vacant seats (0)   Vacant (0) Presiding officer (1)   Speaker (1)
Length of term	Five years
Elections
Voting system	Parallel voting
Last election	23 August 2023
Next election	No later than 5 August 2028
Redistricting	Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, in consultation with the President and Parliament
Meeting place
National Assembly Chamber Parliament House Harare Zimbabwe
National Assembly Chamber New Zimbabwe Parliament Building Mount Hampden Zimbabwe
Website
parlzim.gov.zw

Since the 2023 election, the National Assembly has had 280 members. Of these, 210 are elected in single-member constituencies. 60 seats are reserved for women, and are elected by proportional representation in 10 six-seat constituencies based on the country's provinces. The last 10 seats are reserved for youth and are also elected through proportional representation in 10 one-seat constituencies based on the provinces as well.

Jacob Mudenda has been Speaker of the National Assembly since September 2013.

History

Under the 1980 Constitution, 20 of the 100 seats in the House of Assembly were reserved for the country's white minority, although whites and other ethnic minorities made up only 5% of the population at the time. These seats were abolished by constitutional amendment in 1987.

This size of 100 seats was used for two elections, the 1980 election held immediately before independence and the 1985 election. The 1990 election was the first election after the abolition of the white-reserved seats, and also expanded the House of Assembly to 120 seats, a size which was retained for the 1995 and 2000 elections.

With the 2005 election, the House of Assembly was expanded to 150 members. 120 members were directly elected in single member constituencies using the plurality (or first-past-the-post) system. The President appointed twelve additional members and eight provincial governors who held reserved seats in the House. The remaining ten seats were held by traditional chiefs who were chosen by their peers. All members served five-year terms.

Following the 2008 election, the House of Assembly was expanded to 210 seats and composed entirely of elected representatives. The appointed and ex officio members were transferred to the Senate. The Seventh House of Assembly was opened on August 26, 2008. The additional system of 60 seats reserved for women was established for the 2013 election. An additional 10 seats - one for each Province - reserved for a youth quota was established for the 2023 election.

See also

• History of Zimbabwe
• Legislative Branch
• List of national legislatures
• List of Zimbabwean parliamentary constituencies
• Senate of Zimbabwe - the upper chamber of Parliament
• List of speakers of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe