Harare — Parliament is ready to convene sittings in provincial centres across Zimbabwe after securing the necessary logistical support.

The idea of having parliamentary debates outside of Harare is part of Government's strategies to bring the legislature closer to the people. House of Assembly Speaker Mr Lovemore Moyo yesterday said: "We want to take some parliamentary debates to the provinces. Everything is now in place and only the itinerary remains. We want to demystify Parliament.

"People should be able to identify themselves with the institution. All these plans are part of parliamentary reforms that started way back in 1996."

A senior parliamentary official said they would have to write to the Presidency as a procedural requirement before rolling out the programme. Parliament has completed digitalisation as part of its efforts to modernise the institution. The commissioning of the new equipment is likely to take place in three weeks' time.