Parliament Launches Nationwide Public Hearings on Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3

The Parliament of Zimbabwe

The Parliament of Zimbabwe has deployed 11 teams across the country to conduct public hearings on the Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment No. 3) Bill, 2026, in a key phase of the country’s legislative process. The four-day exercise, running from 30 March to 2 April 2026, will cover all 64 districts, allowing citizens to directly contribute to proposed constitutional changes that could significantly reshape Zimbabwe’s governance and electoral system.

Clerk of Parliament Kennedy Chokuda confirmed that preparations for the hearings had been finalised.

“Everything is now in place for the hearings,” Chokuda said.

He added that submissions are already being received both electronically and in hard copy at Parliament offices in Harare, with additional submission desks set up at hearing venues nationwide. The hearings form part of a broader 90-day consultation process that began on 17 February 2026 following the gazetting of the Bill.

Political parties have begun mobilising citizens ahead of the consultations. Pupurai Togarepi, Chief Whip of ZANU PF, said ruling party legislators would encourage public participation. Meanwhile, Charles Moyo, Chief Whip of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), urged supporters to engage in the process:

“This is a constitutional process citizens must go and air their views.”

The Zimbabwe Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (2026) contains sweeping proposals that have sparked national debate. Key provisions include:

• Extending the presidential term from five to seven years

• Shifting presidential elections from a direct public vote to a parliamentary process

• Transferring voter registration and management of the voters’ roll from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Registrar-General’s Office

Authorities say the changes could improve administrative efficiency, while critics argue they may alter democratic processes.

Public hearings are a critical component of Zimbabwe’s legislative framework, allowing citizens, civil society organisations and stakeholders to present their views. Submissions gathered during the consultations will be compiled into a report for lawmakers’ consideration before the Bill is formally tabled in Parliament for debate. Constitutional law expert Lovemore Madhuku said public participation is essential:

“These consultations are vital to ensure that constitutional reforms reflect the will of the people and uphold democratic principles.”

The public hearings on the Zimbabwe Constitutional Amendment Bill 2026 are expected to draw significant public interest due to the far-reaching implications of the proposed changes.

As consultations unfold nationwide, attention will focus on how citizen input shapes the final version of the Bill and what it could mean for Zimbabwe’s political future.

Zimbabwe Constitutional Amendment Bill No 3 hearings