Wed, 20 March 2013
HARARE — Almost 95 per cent of Zimbabweans have voted in favour of a new constitution that would trim President Robert Mugabe's powers and pave the way for new elections, results showed yesterday.
Tallies of the weekend referendum released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission showed 3,079,966 voters backed the new constitution and 179,489 were against.
"The majority of the votes were received in favour," said Lovemore Sekeramayi, the official in charge of the vote tally. "It is declared to have been adopted by the people of Zimbabwe."
Some 56,627 ballots were spoiled, meaning that of the estimated six million Zimbabweans eligible to vote, 3.3 million exercised that right.
Mugabe and his long-time rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai both backed the draft, which will usher in fresh polls to end the pair's tense unity government.
The text also limits presidents to two five-year terms in office, boosts parliament's powers but abolishes the post of prime minister. The measures are not retroactive, so Mugabe if re-elected could serve for another 10 years — until age 99.Tallies of the weekend referendum released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission showed 3,079,966 voters backed the new constitution and 179,489 were against.
"The majority of the votes were received in favour," said Lovemore Sekeramayi, the official in charge of the vote tally. "It is declared to have been adopted by the people of Zimbabwe."
Some 56,627 ballots were spoiled, meaning that of the estimated six million Zimbabweans eligible to vote, 3.3 million exercised that right.
Mugabe and his long-time rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai both backed the draft, which will usher in fresh polls to end the pair's tense unity government.
Tsvangirai welcomed the result, saying it "sets in motion a new and democratic paradigm for the country."
"Millions voted for a new era that respects human dignity; an era that will see the broadening of basic human rights."
Mugabe is expected to set an election date by March 31, with the vote taking place anytime before the end of October.
While the referendum was hailed by the United States and regional observers as peaceful and credible, the run-up to the vote was marred by isolated incidents of violence against both leaders' party officials.
A day after the Saturday vote, four of Tsvangirai's staffers were arrested along with a leading rights lawyer who was giving them legal assistance.
The four have been charged with breaching the official secrets code, impersonating the police and illegal possession of documents for criminal use.
Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa faced a separate charge of obstructing the course of justice.
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