19/02/2026
Say no to
The Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 for Zimbabwe has several disadvantages, including:
- *Concentration of Power*: The bill proposes to transfer voter registration functions from the independent Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to the Registrar-General's office, which could compromise the integrity of the electoral process ¹.
- *Undermining Democracy*: The bill aims to elect the President through Parliament rather than direct public vote, potentially limiting citizens' participation in choosing their leader ².
- *Extended Terms*: The proposed extension of presidential and parliamentary terms from 5 to 7 years could entrench current leaders in power and reduce accountability ³.
- *Erosion of Independent Commissions*: The bill seeks to abolish the Zimbabwe Gender Commission and National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, potentially weakening oversight and human rights protection ⁴.
- *Risk to Judicial Independence*: Changes to judicial appointment procedures could place them under executive control, threatening judicial independence ¹.
- *Marginalization of Vulnerable Groups*: The amendments may silence marginalized communities, including women and minorities, by diluting specialized advocacy and reducing focused attention on systemic inequality ⁴.
Critics argue these changes could undermine Zimbabwe's democratic foundations and concentrate power in the executive, while proponents see them as necessary for stability and long-term planning ¹ ⁵.