abstract:The National Constitutional Assembly is a non-governmental organisation formed in 1997 as a grouping of individual Zimbabwean citizens and civic organisations including, labour movements, student and youth groups, women groups, churches, business groups and human rights organisations. It is led by chairperson Lovemore Madhuku, and other important staff includes programmes coordinator Patience Nhliziyo.
The opposition, which had a majority in the NationalAssembly until the Constitutional Court declared February's elections illegal and reinstated the previous parliament, has said it will boycott next month's polls.
Its head, James Soong, is prepared for a rough fight to protect his fief and its valuable patronage and has some support in the NationalAssembly, which would have to approve any constitutional changes.
Abe is on a mission to reinvigorate the Japanese economy, win control of the upper house of the Diet (National Assembly) in summer elections and push through constitutional revision to remove constraints on Japan's military.