Constitutional Amendments: Arise Zimbabweans and Defend the Supreme Law

The Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition views attempts by the government to amend the Constitution and the Electoral Act as a complete disregard of the will of the people that will further dent the country’s electoral processes.

The amendments propose to transfer voter registration and delimitation to the Registrar General’s Office and the Delimitation Commission which are bodies appointed by the Executive.

This certainly dents the integrity of Zimbabwe’s electoral processes which have been condemned by regional and international bodies for failing to conform to the principles of democratic elections.

The Coalition insists that the conduct of elections must be the preserve of an independent and impartial body rather than appointees who are indebted and subservient to the executive.

This is the basis of our long-held assertion for reforms that will lead to the independence and impartiality of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) which is currently captured by the executive and the ruling party, ZANU PF.

The proposed amendments to the Electoral Act will bring the integrity of Zimbabwe’s elections into further disrepute while perpetuating Zimbabwe’s legitimacy crisis.

The Coalition notes with utter disdain the continued mutilation of the constitution as part of efforts to entrench political power and authoritarianism.

Through numerous amendments to the constitution,  which was adopted through a referendum in 2013, ZANU PF has introduced draconian legislation such as the Patriotic Act and amendments to the Private Voluntary Organisations (PVO) Act meant to further close the democratic and civic space in Zimbabwe.

It is regrettable that instead of the constitution reflecting the will of the people of Zimbabwe, it has now become a tool for power hungry individuals to push their selfish interests and entrench political power.

Amending the Electoral Act is an attack on democracy and the will of the people who voted for the creation of independent commissions meant to support democracy, ZEC included in 2013.
We implore the government to implement, rather than mutilate the constitution in complete disregard of the will of the people of Zimbabwe.

WAY FORWARD 

As captured in our 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) resolutions, the Coalition shall leverage on its position as a key convener of Civil Society Organisations to mobilize grassroots communities to resist authoritarianism and demand a culture of constitutionalism.

The Coalition to mobilise all progressive Zimbabweans, including farmers, students, youths, women, workers, and the progressives in both the opposition and ZANU PF, to come together and stand up for our constitution, mobilize for democracy, and resist the One-Party state agenda.
Public interest litigation and strengthening citizen agency to defend the constitution will be key to this strategy.The Coalition has lined up a number of meetings aimed at raising constitutional awareness and empowering citizens to demand accountability and implementation of the constitution.

Strengthening local, regional and international solidarity is key in pushing for Zimbabwe to return to full adherence to the norms of modern statecraft through the implementation of comprehensive electoral, social, economic and political reforms.

These reforms must be underpinned by a firm commitment to a return to political legitimacy and the restoration of constitutionalism.

ENDS//