Parliament Claims 99.4% Support for Constitutional Amendment No. 3 as Critics Cry Foul

HARARE — A parliamentary committee has reported overwhelming public support for the controversial Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill, claiming that 99.4 percent of submissions received during nationwide consultations backed the proposed constitutional changes.

The figures, tabled in the National Assembly on Wednesday by the Joint Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and eight other parliamentary committees, have immediately sparked controversy, with opposition groups, legal experts and civil society organisations questioning both the methodology and credibility of the consultation process.

According to the report, Parliament received 540,037 submissions during public consultations, with 537,102 supporting the Bill and just 2,935 opposing it.

The report recommends the adoption of key provisions contained in the legislation, including extending the electoral cycle from five to seven years and replacing direct presidential elections with a parliamentary electoral college system.

Bill Advances Through Parliament

The Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill passed its second reading in Parliament on Wednesday and now proceeds to the committee and debate stages before a final vote.

With the ruling ZANU PF holding a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly and significant influence in the Senate, political analysts believe the Bill has a strong chance of securing the constitutional majority required for passage. Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi has previously indicated that the legislative process could take about a month, although some observers believe Parliament could conclude deliberations much sooner.

Questions Over Consultation Results

The reported 99.4 percent support rate has become the centre of intense debate. Critics argue that the figures appear inconsistent with Zimbabwe's highly contested political landscape. In the 2023 presidential election, President Emmerson Mnangagwa was declared the winner with 52.6 percent of the vote, highlighting a politically divided electorate.

Among the strongest critics is constitutional lawyer and opposition figure Tendai Biti, who described the consultation outcome as unrepresentative of public sentiment. Biti argued that opposition to the Bill remains widespread among civil society groups, legal practitioners, churches, and activists.

Contrasting Patterns in Submissions

The parliamentary report itself reveals notable differences between categories of submissions. Of the 470,117 written submissions physically delivered to Parliament, 469,040 reportedly supported the Bill while 1,077 opposed it.

However, among 2,232 submissions received electronically via email, 1,472 opposed the Bill while only 760 supported it. Political analysts say the contrasting figures have fuelled questions about whether different consultation methods captured different segments of the population. Meanwhile, Parliament reported that 67,688 people attended physical public hearings nationwide, with 67,302 supporting the Bill and 386 opposing it.

Growing Opposition From Civil Society

The proposed constitutional changes have attracted criticism from several influential organisations and individuals. Opposition has been expressed by church bodies, legal associations, human rights groups, and constitutional advocacy organisations. Several court challenges have also been filed seeking to block or limit aspects of the proposed amendments.

Among the concerns raised are provisions extending terms of office, altering the presidential election system, transferring voter registration functions, increasing presidential influence over certain appointments, and restructuring constitutional commissions. Supporters of the Bill argue that the reforms will improve governance, strengthen institutional efficiency, and address constitutional gaps identified since the adoption of the 2013 Constitution.

High-Stakes Constitutional Debate

Constitutional Amendment No. 3 represents one of the most far-reaching proposed changes to Zimbabwe's constitutional framework in recent years. Beyond extending the terms of elected officials, the Bill proposes reforms affecting electoral administration, judicial appointments, parliamentary representation, and the structure of independent commissions.

As debate intensifies both inside and outside Parliament, the dispute is increasingly shaping into a broader contest over constitutional governance, democratic accountability, and the future direction of Zimbabwe's political system. With court challenges pending and parliamentary deliberations continuing, Constitutional Amendment No. 3 is likely to remain at the centre of national political discourse in the weeks ahead.

Constitutional Amendment No 3 Zimbabwe