Source: ‘Amendment No. 3 Bill strengthens institutions’ – herald
Herald Reporter
THE Attorney-General, Mrs Virginia Mabiza, has moved to clarify public confusion over the Constitution of Zimbabwe (Amendment No. 3) Bill, saying the proposed changes are designed to strengthen electoral institutions rather than benefit individual office bearers.
Amid growing public debate over the Bill’s implications for the country’s electoral framework, the AG urged citizens to rely on the officially gazetted text rather than speculation.
“The Bill proposes amendments to certain provisions of the Constitution, including sections 92, 95, 143 and 158,” Mrs Mabiza said.
“These provisions relate primarily to the framework governing the timing and conduct of national elections.”
At the heart of the proposed amendments is a shift in the electoral cycle, from five years to seven years for harmonised elections covering the Presidency, Parliament and local authorities.
Mrs Mabiza said the current constitutional framework links these offices through a harmonised electoral system.
Section 95(2)(b) governs the presidential term within this cycle, while section 143(1) addresses the duration and dissolution of Parliament. These work together with section 158, which regulates the timing of general elections.
“The Bill proposes to amend section 95(2)(b) and section 143(1) by substituting the current five-year electoral cycle with a seven-year cycle, while maintaining the harmonised nature of elections for Parliament and Local Authorities as provided for under section 158,” Mrs Mabiza said.
Crucially, she said the amendments do not alter constitutional provisions relating to presidential term limits.
“It is important to note that section 95(2)(b) does not deal with or alter the constitutional provisions relating to presidential term limits, which remain governed by other provisions of the Constitution,” Mrs Mabiza said.
The Attorney-General added that the changes are institution-focused, designed to ensure continuity and efficiency in national governance rather than serving individual office bearers.
“These amendments are not designed to benefit office bearers, but rather they reform institutions that automatically fall under the electoral cycle,” said Mrs Mabiza.
The Bill also contains transitional provisions clarifying how the proposed seven-year cycle will apply to the current electoral period, ensuring a clear legal pathway for implementation.
Mrs Mabiza urged the public to refer directly to the Bill as officially gazetted on 16 February 2026 by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Advocate Jacob Mudenda.
“The Bill and the Memorandum constitute the authoritative legal text outlining the proposed amendments and the rationale for those amendments, following Cabinet approval on February 10, 2026,” she said.
The AG said debate on the matter should be anchored on the actual text rather than speculation about political motivations.
“Members of the public are therefore encouraged to refer directly to the gazetted Bill when considering the content and effect of the proposed amendments,” Mrs Mabiza said.
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