2013 Zimbabwean constitutional referendum

2013 Zimbabwean constitutional referendum
16–17 March 2013
The Parliamentary Select Committee (COPAC) which was spearheading the Constitution making process prepared a draft Constitution that was tabled before Parliament on the 5th day of February 2013, and duly adopted by Parliament. The draft Constitution was published in the Gazette on the 15th day of February 2013.

Are you in favour of adopting that draft Constitution as the new Constitution of Zimbabwe?
OutcomeNew constitution adopted and fully in force on 22 August 2013
Results
Choice
 Votes %
Yes 3,079,966 94.49%
No 179,489 5.51%
Valid votes 3,259,455 98.29%
Invalid or blank votes 56,627 1.71%
Total votes 3,316,082 100.00%
Yes
 
 92.88%
No
 
 5.41%
Invalid
 
 1.71%
Results by constituency

The 2013 Zimbabwean constitutional referendum was held on 16-17 March 2013, where Zimbabweans voted on a draft constitution that had been endorsed by all major political parties in the country. The outcome was a resounding yes vote, with 94.5 percent of voters supporting the new document. The referendum was a key milestone in Zimbabwe's political landscape, paving the way for the 2013 Zimbabwean general election and marking the end of the Lancaster House Constitution that had governed the country since independence in 1980.[1] The new constitution introduced significant reforms, including term limits for the president, devolution of powers, enhanced gender equality provisions, and a strengthened bill of rights.[2]

Background

Zimbabwe's post-independence constitutional history has been marked by efforts to replace the Lancaster House Constitution, which was negotiated in 1979 as part of the transition from Rhodesia to Zimbabwe. This document was seen by many as a compromise that preserved colonial-era structures and limited land reform.[3] The first major attempt at reform came in the 2000 Zimbabwean constitutional referendum, where a government-proposed draft was rejected by 54 percent of voters amid low turnout (26 percent) and opposition from civil society and the newly formed Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).[4] This rejection was a significant blow to President Robert Mugabe's ZANU–PF party and contributed to a period of political and economic turmoil.

The impetus for the 2013 constitution arose from the violent and disputed 2008 Zimbabwean general election, which led to a power-sharing agreement known as the Global Political Agreement (GPA) brokered by the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The GPA, signed in September 2008 by ZANU–PF, MDC–T (led by Morgan Tsvangirai), and MDC–N (led by Welshman Ncube), established a Government of National Unity (GNU) and mandated a new constitution as a prerequisite for future elections.[5] The GNU, intended to last two to three years, extended to nearly five due to delays in the constitutional process.[6]

Drafting process

The drafting was overseen by the Parliamentary Select Committee on the New Constitution (COPAC), a 25-member body co-chaired by representatives from the three GPA parties: Douglas Mwonzora (MDC–T), Edward Mkhosi (MDC–N), and Paul Mangwana (ZANU–PF).[7] The process, expected to take 18 months, stretched to nearly four years from 2009 to 2013 due to inter-party disputes, funding issues, and logistical challenges.[8] It included outreach meetings across the country, but these were marred by intimidation, violence, and ZANU–PF's efforts to influence discussions on key issues like presidential powers and devolution.[9]

Funding was a major hurdle, with the United Nations Development Programme providing $21 million, about half the budget.[10] Stalemates arose over devolution, citizenship, diaspora voting, and the electoral system, with ZANU–PF proposing up to 200 amendments.[11] SADC mediation helped resolve these, and a final draft was agreed upon on 31 January 2013.[12] Only 70,000 copies were distributed for over 5 million voters, with inadequate translations and limited access in remote areas.[13]

Women's groups, such as the Group of 20 (G-20), played a crucial role in advocating for gender provisions, supported by UN Women and UNDP.[14]

Key provisions

The new constitution retained an executive presidency but introduced two five-year term limits (not retroactive, allowing Mugabe to run again).[15] It granted the president powers to appoint ministers, ambassadors, and security chiefs, declare war, and appoint judges, with immunity during office.[16]

The electoral system mixed first-past-the-post for the 210-seat National Assembly and proportional representation for the 80-seat Senate, with gender alternation on party lists.[17] Devolution transferred powers to provincial and local councils for better governance and resource sharing.[18]

Security services were required to be neutral and non-partisan.[19] Land provisions limited compensation to improvements on acquired land.[20] Independent commissions, including a National Peace and Reconciliation Commission, were established.[21] The new constitution would also reintroduce dual citizenship, which had been abolished in 1984.

Gender equality was strengthened with 60 reserved seats for women in the National Assembly and a Zimbabwe Gender Commission.[22] The Declaration of Rights expanded to include protections from violence and torture, freedom of expression, and alignment with international human rights standards.[23][24]

Campaign

The campaign was low-key, with all GPA parties urging a yes vote.[25] The National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) campaigned against it, arguing the process was flawed.[26] Civil society and women's groups mobilized support, using social media to engage youth.[27] State media bias favoured ZANU–PF narratives around the process, and there were reports of intimidation.[28] The short timeframe (six weeks) limited public debate.[29]

Referendum process

Voting rules were relaxed: no voters' roll was required; a valid ID sufficed, enabling unregistered individuals, including new voters aged 18 since 2008, to participate.[30] This contributed to high turnout but raised concerns about verification.[31] The process was peaceful, with SADC observers deeming it credible, though Western observers were barred.[32]

Issues around the voters' roll

The absence of a voters' roll requirement was controversial, with the NCA alleging potential rigging through ballot stuffing and coercion in rural areas.[33] Reports emerged of block voting and party officials pre-registering names.[34] Diaspora voting was denied, limiting participation.[35] These issues foreshadowed problems in the subsequent general election, where the voters' roll was described as "in shambles."[36]

Results

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) announced results on 19 March 2013: 3,079,966 yes (94.5%), 179,489 no (5.5%), with 56,627 spoilt ballots. Turnout was 59.8%, the highest since independence, with 3,316,082 votes cast.[37][38] Turnout varied by province, highest in Harare and Mashonaland, lowest in Matabeleland and Bulawayo.[39]

ChoiceVotes%
For3,079,96694.49
Against179,4895.51
Total3,259,455100.00
Valid votes3,259,45598.29
Invalid/blank votes56,6271.71
Total votes3,316,082100.00
Source: BBC
National referendum results (excluding invalid votes)
Yes
3,079,966 (94.5%)
▲
50%
Results by Province[40]
Province
 Yes No Invalid Total votes
Votes % Votes % Votes
Bulawayo 121,108 92.34 8,514 6.49 1,529 1.17 131,151
Harare 468,176 90.48 41,060 7.93 8,222 1.59 517,458
Manicaland 388,397 92.97 22,586 5.41 6,802 1.63 417,785
Mashonaland Central 340,290 95.33 9,703 2.72 6,980 1.96 356,973
Mashonaland East 374,045 94.26 15,405 3.88 7,377 1.86 396,827
Mashonaland West 340,597 93.67 17,662 4.86 5,365 1.48 363,624
Masvingo 376,713 93.04 20,717 5.12 7,459 1.84 404,889
Matabeleland North 162,236 91.52 11,663 6.58 3,378 1.91 177,277
Matabeleland South 129,959 91.15 10,040 7.04 2,577 1.81 142,576
Midlands 378,445 92.86 22,139 5.43 6,938 1.70 407,522
Total 3,079,966 92.88 179,489 5.41 56,627 1.71 3,316,082
Results by constituency[41]
Constituency Yes No Invalid Total votes
Votes % Votes % Votes
Beitbridge East MBS 12,700 89.81 1,174 8.30 267 1.89 14,141
Beitbridge West MBS 7,883 86.70 922 10.14 287 3.16 9,092
Bikita East MVG 13,032 92.07 827 5.84 295 2.08 14,154
Bikita South MVG 12,430 93.71 634 4.78 201 1.52 13,265
Bikita West MVG 15,243 92.07 1,030 6.22 283 1.71 16,556
Bindura North MSC 27,401 95.17 1,010 3.51 381 1.32 28,792
Bindura South MSC 18,205 95.02 607 3.17 347 1.81 19,159
Binga North MBN 16,550 89.30 1,434 7.74 549 2.96 18,533
Binga South MBN 17,360 91.50 1,212 6.39 400 2.11 18,972
Bubi MBN 13,925 92.35 873 5.79 280 1.86 15,078
Budiriro HRE 21,731 91.00 1,798 7.53 350 1.47 23,879
Buhera Central MCL 16,298 93.93 750 4.32 303 1.75 17,351
Buhera North MCL 13,305 96.16 363 2.62 168 1.21 13,836
Buhera South MCL 18,707 94.57 759 3.84 316 1.60 19,782
Buhera West MCL 16,102 95.26 593 3.51 209 1.24 16,904
Bulawayo Central BYO 18,280 91.88 1,395 7.01 221 1.11 19,896
Bulawayo East BYO 8,886 89.48 904 9.10 141 1.42 9,931
Bulawayo South BYO 8,098 92.79 522 5.98 107 1.23 8,727
Bulilima East MBS 10,711 91.34 821 7.00 194 1.65 11,726
Bulilima West MBS 8,457 89.37 845 8.93 161 1.70 9,463
Chakari MSW 18,117 95.71 507 2.68 305 1.61 18,929
Chegutu East MSW 16,966 94.80 671 3.75 260 1.45 17,897
Chegutu West MSW 15,006 93.00 939 5.82 191 1.18 16,136
Chikomba Central MSE 10,205 91.60 570 5.12 366 3.29 11,141
Chikomba East MSE 9,100 93.90 385 3.97 206 2.13 9,691
Chikomba West MSE 18,591 94.18 813 4.12 335 1.70 19,739
Chimanimani East MCL 15,594 93.19 801 4.79 339 2.03 16,734
Chimanimani West MCL 15,128 94.44 658 4.11 232 1.45 16,018
Chinhoyi MSW 16,913 92.86 1,133 6.22 168 0.92 18,214
Chipinge Central MCL 18,228 91.16 1,298 6.49 469 2.35 19,995
Chipinge East MCL 11,512 91.61 816 6.49 238 1.89 12,566
Chipinge South MCL 12,788 83.15 2,199 14.30 392 2.55 15,379
Chipinge West MCL 11,657 92.00 786 6.20 227 1.79 12,670
Chiredzi East MVG 11,861 89.69 890 6.73 474 3.58 13,225
Chiredzi North MVG 31,101 95.21 879 2.69 684 2.09 32,664
Chiredzi South MVG 9,375 88.24 1,019 9.59 230 2.16 10,624
Chiredzi West MVG 23,347 91.39 1,756 6.87 443 1.73 25,546
Chirumanzu MID 11,631 92.60 679 5.41 251 2.00 12,561
Chirumanzu-Zibagwe MID 17,452 94.58 703 3.81 298 1.61 18,453
Chitungwiza North HRE 15,472 89.83 1,404 8.15 348 2.02 17,224
Chitungwiza South HRE 18,414 90.53 1,634 8.03 292 1.44 20,340
Chivi Central MVG 15,417 92.77 966 5.81 235 1.41 16,618
Chivi North MVG 11,714 92.79 633 5.01 277 2.19 12,624
Chivi South MVG 15,166 91.81 1,048 6.34 304 1.84 16,518
Chiwundura MID 16,779 93.20 979 5.44 245 1.36 18,003
Dangamvura-Chikanga MCL 17,186 92.27 1,268 6.81 172 0.92 18,626
Dzivarasekwa HRE 14,834 90.82 1,283 7.86 216 1.32 16,333
Emakhandeni-Entumbane BYO 8,599 92.74 547 5.90 126 1.36 9,272
Epworth HRE 33,203 90.68 2,666 7.28 746 2.04 36,615
Glen Norah HRE 10,746 90.94 980 8.29 91 0.77 11,817
Glenview North HRE 12,666 90.76 1,135 8.13 154 1.10 13,955
Glenview South HRE 12,178 89.64 1,190 8.76 217 1.60 13,585
Gokwe Central MID 13,017 90.93 1,072 7.49 226 1.58 14,315
Gokwe Chireya MID 17,580 92.89 892 4.71 453 2.39 18,925
Gokwe Gumunyu MID 13,676 94.90 486 3.37 249 1.73 14,411
Gokwe Kabuyuni MID 14,810 90.51 1,207 7.38 345 2.11 16,362
Gokwe Kana MID 12,182 91.93 876 6.61 194 1.46 13,252
Gokwe Mapfungautsi MID 15,403 92.64 956 5.75 267 1.61 16,626
Gokwe Nembudziya MID 15,280 93.71 726 4.45 299 1.83 16,305
Gokwe Sasame MID 13,961 91.33 922 6.03 404 2.64 15,287
Gokwe Sengwa MID 11,405 92.60 742 6.02 170 1.38 12,317
Goromonzi North MSE 15,471 93.19 861 5.19 264 1.62 16,596
Goromonzi South MSE 24,594 92.09 1,561 5.85 551 2.06 26,706
Goromonzi West MSE 17,303 92.13 1,152 6.12 328 1.75 18,783
Guruve North MSC 21,765 95.85 560 2.47 383 1.69 22,708
Guruve South MSC 19,289 95.56 613 3.04 283 1.40 20,185
Gutu Central MVG 11,898 93.16 675 5.29 198 1.55 12,771
Gutu East MVG 10,133 93.49 495 4.57 211 1.95 10,839
Gutu North MVG 8,935 92.52 559 5.79 163 1.69 9,657
Gutu South MVG 10,604 93.48 603 5.32 136 1.20 11,343
Gutu West MVG 14,890 95.23 559 3.58 187 1.20 15,636
Gwanda Central MBS 13,358 92.16 919 6.34 218 1.50 14,495
Gwanda North MBS 8,023 93.80 382 4.47 148 1.73 8,553
Gwanda South MBS 7,729 90.25 701 8.19 134 1.56 8,564
Gweru Urban MID 13,418 92.57 897 6.19 180 1.24 14,495
Harare Central HRE 19,253 90.75 1,723 8.12 240 1.13 21,216
Harare East HRE 21,307 91.67 1,600 6.88 335 1.44 23,242
Harare North HRE 17,300 90.30 1,523 7.95 336 1.75 19,159
Harare South HRE 26,630 91.71 1,562 5.38 845 2.91 29,037
Harare West HRE 14,619 89.84 1,469 9.03 185 1.14 16,273
Hatfield HRE 16,549 90.13 1,582 8.62 230 1.25 18,361
Headlands MCL 14,322 92.57 852 5.51 297 1.92 15,471
Highfield East HRE 14,631 89.69 1,507 9.24 174 1.07 16,312
Highfield West HRE 11,911 90.88 1,037 7.91 158 1.21 13,106
Hurungwe Central MSW 15,765 93.58 886 5.26 195 1.16 16,846
Hurungwe East MSW 16,643 94.28 728 4.12 282 1.60 17,653
Hurungwe North MSW 10,930 92.69 641 5.44 221 1.87 11,792
Hurungwe West MSW 10,383 92.71 647 5.78 170 1.52 11,200
Hwange Central MBN 13,103 91.78 934 6.54 240 1.68 14,277
Hwange East MBN 14,010 92.65 888 5.87 223 1.47 15,121
Hwange West MBN 8,824 90.39 703 7.20 235 2.41 9,762
Insiza North MBS 12,772 91.97 904 6.51 211 1.52 13,887
Insiza South MBS 7,143 93.19 374 4.88 148 1.93 7,665
Kadoma Central MSW 15,078 91.10 1,256 7.59 217 1.31 16,551
Kambuzuma HRE 10,539 91.56 845 7.34 127 1.10 11,511
Kariba MSW 18,226 92.72 1,120 5.70 310 1.58 19,656
Kuwadzana East HRE 11,851 90.56 1,132 8.65 103 0.79 13,086
Kuwadzana HRE 15,428 90.90 1,366 8.05 178 1.05 16,972
Kwekwe Central MID 10,522 92.71 716 6.31 111 0.98 11,349
Lobengula BYO 8,022 93.76 449 5.25 85 0.99 8,556
Lupane East MBN 10,064 90.81 824 7.44 194 1.75 11,082
Lupane West MBN 9,006 92.64 565 5.81 151 1.55 9,722
Luveve BYO 10,726 92.05 816 7.00 110 0.94 11,652
Mabvuku-Tafara HRE 14,559 91.65 1,140 7.18 187 1.18 15,886
Magunje MSW 10,449 91.76 728 6.39 210 1.84 11,387
Magwegwe BYO 6,921 92.82 457 6.13 78 1.05 7,456
Makokoba BYO 9,426 92.25 620 6.07 172 1.68 10,218
Makonde MSW 17,248 94.49 766 4.20 239 1.31 18,253
Makoni Central MCL 14,337 92.36 968 6.24 218 1.40 15,523
Makoni North MCL 12,214 94.89 658 5.11 0 0.00 12,872
Makoni South MCL 15,839 94.07 710 4.22 289 1.72 16,838
Makoni West MCL 10,941 93.75 535 4.58 195 1.67 11,671
Mangwe MBS 10,517 89.42 1,222 10.39 237 0.20 11,976
Maramba Pfungwe MSE 21,783 96.74 253 1.12 480 2.13 22,516
Marondera Central MSE 15,922 91.95 1,121 6.47 273 1.58 17,316
Marondera East MSE 17,033 94.80 616 3.43 319 1.78 17,968
Marondera West MSE 11,420 91.27 651 5.20 442 3.53 12,513
Masvingo Central MVG 11,720 93.88 553 4.43 211 1.69 12,484
Masvingo North MVG 13,937 93.39 704 4.72 283 1.90 14,924
Masvingo South MVG 12,653 92.45 761 5.56 273 1.99 13,687
Masvingo Urban MVG 19,943 91.88 1,540 7.09 223 1.03 21,706
Masvingo West MVG 12,081 93.31 609 4.70 257 1.99 12,947
Matobo North MBS 9,479 92.98 515 5.05 201 1.97 10,195
Matobo South MBS 7,311 94.56 299 3.87 122 1.58 7,732
Mazowe Central MSC 13,154 92.36 776 5.45 312 2.19 14,242
Mazowe North MSC 15,585 94.95 513 3.13 316 1.93 16,414
Mazowe South MSC 15,505 91.38 889 5.24 574 3.38 16,968
Mazowe West MSC 14,520 93.57 605 3.90 392 2.53 15,517
Mbare HRE 28,683 90.51 2,300 7.26 707 2.23 31,690
Mberengwa East MID 9,710 93.04 529 5.07 197 1.89 10,436
Mberengwa North MID 16,279 94.13 691 4.00 324 1.87 17,294
Mberengwa South MID 13,134 94.59 514 3.70 237 1.71 13,885
Mberengwa West MID 9,106 92.80 488 4.97 218 2.22 9,812
Mbire MSC 17,141 93.85 739 4.05 384 2.10 18,264
Mbizo MID 11,081 93.68 611 5.17 136 1.15 11,828
Mhangura MSW 19,704 95.91 585 2.85 255 1.24 20,544
Mhondoro-Mubaira MSW 13,676 91.79 964 6.47 260 1.74 14,900
Mhondoro-Ngezi MSW 16,564 94.92 598 3.43 288 1.65 17,450
Mkoba MID 12,454 93.25 752 5.63 150 1.12 13,356
Mount Darwin East MSC 20,677 97.20 316 1.49 270 1.32 21,263
Mount Darwin North MSC 17,019 96.28 335 1.90 323 1.83 17,677
Mount Darwin South MSC 20,426 96.58 402 1.90 322 1.52 21,150
Mount Darwin West MSC 21,304 96.13 472 2.13 385 1.74 22,161
Mount Pleasant HRE 11,969 88.90 1,362 10.12 133 0.99 13,464
Mudzi North MSE 17,124 94.81 624 3.45 314 1.74 18,062
Mudzi South MSE 15,294 95.55 414 2.59 299 1.87 16,007
Mudzi West MSE 13,695 96.41 208 1.46 302 2.13 14,205
Mufakose HRE 8,623 91.97 634 6.76 119 1.27 9,376
Murewa North MSE 17,160 94.97 665 3.68 238 1.35 18,063
Murewa South MSE 19,114 95.67 549 2.75 316 1.58 19,979
Murewa West MSE 16,075 92.82 838 4.84 406 2.34 17,319
Musikavanhu MCL 9,732 90.26 859 7.97 191 1.77 10,782
Mutare Central MCL 14,302 91.95 1,068 6.87 184 1.18 15,554
Mutare North MCL 19,954 93.47 1,059 4.96 336 1.57 21,349
Mutare South MCL 16,622 92.90 939 5.25 332 1.86 17,893
Mutare West MCL 18,917 93.63 954 4.72 332 1.64 20,203
Mutasa Central MCL 13,820 94.72 610 4.18 160 1.10 14,590
Mutasa North MCL 13,458 94.01 606 4.23 251 1.75 14,315
Mutasa South MCL 15,533 92.42 1,011 6.02 263 1.56 16,807
Mutoko East MSE 14,584 95.99 378 2.49 231 1.52 15,193
Mutoko North MSE 16,944 94.81 568 3.18 359 2.01 17,871
Mutoko South MSE 19,573 95.83 506 2.48 345 1.69 20,424
Muzarabani North MSC 15,068 96.49 234 1.50 314 2.01 15,616
Muzarabani South MSC 18,118 95.60 350 1.85 483 2.55 18,951
Muzvezve MSW 18,357 94.09 875 4.48 278 1.42 19,510
Mwenezi East MVG 19,279 94.38 738 3.61 409 2.00 20,426
Mwenezi West MVG 23,243 95.28 646 2.65 506 2.07 24,395
Nkayi North MBN 9,904 91.03 770 7.08 206 1.89 10,880
Nkayi South MBN 11,041 92.58 707 5.93 178 1.49 11,926
Nketa BYO 10,907 92.14 810 6.84 120 1.01 11,837
Nkulumane BYO 11,792 93.11 742 5.86 130 1.03 12,664
Norton MSW 17,322 92.66 1,157 6.19 216 1.16 18,695
Nyanga North MCL 15,062 93.97 638 3.98 329 2.05 16,029
Nyanga South MCL 16,839 93.41 828 4.59 360 2.00 18,027
Pelandaba-Mpopoma BYO 9,444 92.99 592 5.83 120 1.18 10,156
Pumula BYO 10,007 92.78 660 6.12 119 1.10 10,786
Redcliff MID 13,792 93.20 837 5.66 169 1.14 14,798
Rushinga MSC 23,930 96.27 350 1.41 576 2.32 24,856
Sanyati MSW 12,167 94.10 521 4.03 242 1.87 12,930
Seke MSE 18,928 91.60 1,426 6.90 309 1.50 20,663
Shamva North MSC 18,919 95.34 489 2.46 435 2.19 19,843
Shamva South MSC 22,264 95.94 443 1.91 500 2.15 23,207
Shurugwi North MID 13,968 93.05 856 5.70 187 1.25 15,011
Shurugwi South MID 11,339 94.08 576 4.78 138 1.14 12,053
Silobela MID 14,524 91.77 842 5.32 460 2.91 15,826
Southerton HRE 12,025 90.70 1,058 7.98 175 1.32 13,258
St Mary's HRE 15,974 87.94 1,731 9.53 459 2.53 18,164
Sunningdale HRE 11,509 88.52 1,114 8.57 379 2.91 13,002
Tsholotsho North MBN 9,160 92.10 635 6.38 151 1.52 9,946
Tsholotsho South MBN 9,606 89.32 967 8.99 182 1.69 10,755
Umguza MBN 19,683 92.74 1,151 5.42 389 1.83 21,223
Umzingwane MBS 13,876 91.89 962 6.37 249 1.74 15,087
Uzumba MSE 20,416 97.12 341 1.62 265 1.26 21,022
Vungu MID 10,060 93.30 579 5.37 143 1.33 10,782
Warren Park HRE 15,265 90.58 1,411 8.37 176 1.04 16,852
Wedza North MSE 14,626 94.97 510 3.31 264 1.71 15,400
Wedza South MSE 9,090 94.20 395 4.09 165 1.71 9,650
Zaka Central MVG 14,209 93.25 717 4.71 312 2.05 15,238
Zaka East MVG 10,573 94.57 456 4.08 151 1.35 11,180
Zaka North MVG 13,830 92.58 854 5.72 254 1.70 14,938
Zaka West MVG 10,099 92.45 566 5.18 259 2.37 10,924
Zengeza East HRE 15,465 89.98 1,416 8.24 307 1.79 17,188
Zengeza West HRE 14,842 89.65 1,458 8.81 255 1.54 16,555
Zhombe MID 15,481 91.71 1,018 6.03 381 2.26 16,880
Zvimba East MSW 14,378 92.33 949 6.09 245 1.57 15,572
Zvimba North MSW 16,330 94.82 614 3.57 278 1.61 17,222
Zvimba South MSW 16,017 94.11 722 4.24 280 1.65 17,019
Zvimba West MSW 14,358 94.04 655 4.29 255 1.67 15,268
Zvishavane Ngezi MID 16,810 91.25 1,313 7.13 299 1.62 18,422
Zvishavane Runde MID 13,591 93.87 680 4.70 207 1.43 14,478
Total 3,079,966 92.88 179,489 5.41 56,627 1.71 3,316,082
Votes % Votes % Votes % Total votes
Invalid
Yes No

Aftermath

President Mugabe signed the constitution into law on 22 May 2013.[42] Certain provisions of the Constitution (principally the Declaration of Rights and provisions for presidential and parliamentary elections) came into operation on 22 May 2013, when Act 1 of 2013 was published. That date was the “publication day” as defined in paragraph 1 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution. The provisions that came into operation then are set out in paragraph 3 of that Schedule.

The rest of the Constitution came into operation on 22 August 2013, when the President was sworn in after the first elections following the Act's assent; this date is the “effective date” as defined in paragraph 1 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution. Some of the new constitution's clauses, however, would not take effect for 10 years.[43]

The 2013 elections, where ZANU–PF secured a landslide victory, were conducted in line with the new constitution. However, post-referendum arrests of opposition figures and civil society leaders raised concerns about implementation.[44][45] Amnesty International noted the potential for a new human rights culture but called for repealing repressive laws and funding commissions.[46] The constitution has since been amended multiple times, including expansions for youth representation and changes to judicial appointments.[47][48]

References

  1. ^ "Continuity or Reform in Zimbabwean Politics? An Overview of the 2013 Referendum" (PDF). Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa. 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  2. ^ "Zimbabwe votes in support of new constitution". Al Jazeera. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Continuity or Reform in Zimbabwean Politics? An Overview of the 2013 Referendum" (PDF). Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa. 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  4. ^ "Continuity or Reform in Zimbabwean Politics? An Overview of the 2013 Referendum" (PDF). Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa. 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  5. ^ "An analysis of the March 2013 Referendum: A report by the Election Resource Centre" (PDF). Peacemaker.un.org. 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Continuity or Reform in Zimbabwean Politics? An Overview of the 2013 Referendum" (PDF). Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa. 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
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