2013 Zimbabwean constitutional referendum

A constitutional referendum was held in Zimbabwe on 16 and 17 March 2013,[1][2] after being postponed from September 2011[3] and from 30 June 2011.[4] Ultimately the new constitution was approved by 94.5% of voters.[5]

2013 Zimbabwean constitutional referendum
16–17 March 2013
The Parliamentary Select Committee (COPAC) which was spearheading the Constitution making process prepared a draft Constitution that was tabled before Parliament on the 5th day of February 2013, and duly adopted by Parliament. The draft Constitution was published in Gazette on the 15th of February 2013.

Are in favour of adopting that draft Constitution as the new Constitution of Zimbabwe?
Results
Choice
 Votes  %
Yes 3,079,966 94.49%
No 179,489 5.51%
Valid votes 3,259,455 98.29%
Invalid or blank votes 56,627 1.71%
Total votes 3,316,082 100.00%
Registered voters/turnout 5,934,768 55.88%
Politics of Zimbabwe
Constitution
Government
Legislature
Judiciary
Elections
Administrative divisions
Foreign relations

Background

President Robert Mugabe told the United Nations that the new government formed in February 2009 "has fostered an environment of peace and stability. Several reforms have been implemented and Government has created and instituted constitutional bodies agreed to in the Global Political Agreement." As a result, a constitutional outreach programme was underway; upon whose completion a draft constitution would be formulated as a precursor to a referendum. He hoped this would be followed by an election.[6]

New constitution

The new constitution would limit the President to two five-year terms in office, though it did not apply retrospectively and therefore Mugabe was not restricted from seeking re-election.[7] It abolished the post of Prime Minister,[8] and established an independent prosecuting authority, a peace and reconciliation commission and an anti-corruption commission.[7] It also allowed for dual citizenship, but prevented any legal challenges to the land reform programme.[7]

Results
Referendum results
Choice Votes  %
Referendum passed Yes 3,079,966 94.49
No 179,489 5.51
Valid votes 3,259,455 98.29
Invalid or blank votes 56,627 1.71
Total votes 3,316,082 100.00
Source: BBC

References
  1. Referendum Vote Counting Continues in Zimbabwe
  2. All Set for Zimbabwe's Referendum Vote AllAfrica, 13 March 2013
  3. Nyoni, Peter (24 March 2011). "Constitution referendum 'delayed to September'". The Zimdiaspora. Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
  4. Zimbabwe's Constitutional Outreach Program Ends Archived 2011-06-29 at the Wayback Machine Voice of America, November 1, 2010
  5. Zimbabwe: 94 percent vote for new constitution, but police jail rights lawyer for 3rd night The Washington Post, 19 March 2013
  6. Statement by his Excellency Cde R G Mugabe President of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly United Nations, 24 September 2010
  7. Zimbabwe approves new constitution BBC News, 19 March 2013
  8. Mugabe appoints ZANU-PF lawyer as Zimbabwe finance minister Reuters, 10 September 2013
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