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HARARE, ZIMBABWE – The Parliament of Zimbabwe has passed the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 with a significant two-thirds majority, sending the controversial legislation to the President for his assent. The bill, which proposes far-reaching changes to the country’s constitutional framework, secured 226 votes in favor and 41 against in the National Assembly.
The passage of the bill marks a critical moment for Zimbabwe’s political landscape, as it introduces several amendments that critics argue could consolidate executive power and undermine democratic accountability .
Key Provisions of the Amendment Bill
Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3, 2026, proposes several significant changes, including:
Presidential Election by Parliament: Perhaps the most contentious amendment is the proposal to remove direct presidential elections. Instead, the President would be elected by a joint sitting of the Senate and the National Assembly. This change would require a candidate to secure more than half of the valid votes cast by members of Parliament .
Extension of Term Limits: The bill seeks to extend the presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years. Furthermore, it explicitly states that these changes would apply to the current President and Members of Parliament, potentially prolonging President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s tenure until 2030 .
Increased Presidential Appointments to Senate: The President would gain the power to appoint ten additional Senators, increasing the total number of Senators to ninety. This move is seen by some as a way to further solidify the ruling party’s influence in the legislature .
Changes to Electoral Management: The bill proposes the creation of a Zimbabwe Electoral Delimitation Commission, taking over delimitation functions from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). Crucially, it also transfers the responsibility for voter registration and maintaining the voters’ roll from the ZEC to the Registrar-General, a presidentially appointed civil servant .
Judicial Appointments and Other Reforms: The amendments also include changes to the appointment process for judges and the Prosecutor-General, with some provisions removing the requirement for advice from the Judicial Service Commission .
Parliamentary Vote and Public Reaction
The bill’s passage in the National Assembly with 226 votes in favor and 41 against demonstrates the ruling party’s strong parliamentary majority. The proposed changes have, however, been met with considerable debate and opposition from civil society organizations, legal experts, and opposition parties, who view them as a step towards executive consolidation and a weakening of democratic institutions .
Supporters of the bill argue that the amendments are necessary for strengthening governance, enhancing national stability, and aligning Zimbabwe’s constitutional order with
election-related “toxicity” and allow for longer project implementation, fostering long-term economic growth .
Concerns and Criticisms
Critics, including legal scholars and opposition figures, argue that the bill represents a significant setback for democratic governance in Zimbabwe. D. Tinashé Hofisi, writing for ConstitutionNet, describes the proposal as “executive consolidation through constitutional disruption” and an acceleration of “democratic regression” . Concerns include:
Erosion of Democratic Accountability: The shift from direct presidential elections to parliamentary selection is seen as insulating the President from popular accountability .
Circumvention of Term Limits: The explicit application of term extensions to the incumbent President is viewed as an attempt to bypass constitutional safeguards against prolonged tenure without a referendum .
Partisanship in Electoral Processes: The transfer of voter registration and voters’ roll maintenance to the Registrar-General, a presidentially appointed civil servant, raises concerns about potential partisanship and voter disenfranchisement .
Weakening of Independent Institutions: Changes to judicial appointments and the potential for increased presidential influence in the Senate are seen as undermining the independence of key state institutions .
The Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 now proceeds to the President for his signature. If signed into law, it will fundamentally alter Zimbabwe’s constitutional landscape, with significant implications for the country’s political future.
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