Parliament committee backs major Zimbabwe Constitution Amendment No.3 Bill changes

Parliament committee backs major Zimbabwe Constitution Amendment No.3 Bill changes

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A joint report by Parliament’s Portfolio and Thematic Committees has set out recommendations on the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, 2026, following nationwide public consultations held under constitutional provisions on public involvement in law-making.

The report, presented to Parliament in June 2026 during the Third Session of the Tenth Parliament, states that the Bill (H.B. 1, 2026) was published in the Government Gazette on 16 February 2026. Parliament then invited the public to submit views through meetings and written submissions in line with Section 328(4) of the Constitution.

According to the opening section of the report, the Bill was initially referred to the Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. However, Parliament constituted a Joint Committee made up of several Portfolio and Thematic Committees, citing the Bill’s “cross-cutting implications” for governance, gender equality, human rights, traditional leadership and related issues.

The Joint Committee conducted nationwide consultations in fulfilment of Section 141 of the Constitution, which requires Parliament to facilitate public involvement in legislative processes.

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In its key findings and recommendations, the report says it analyses 22 clauses of the proposed constitutional amendment. Among the major recommendations listed is the adoption of proposals to transfer voter registration and management of the voters’ roll from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to the Registrar-General.

The committee further recommends adoption of the proposal to have the President elected through Parliament rather than by direct public vote, and adoption of extending Presidential and Parliamentary terms from five years to seven years.

Other recommendations cited include adopting an increase in Senate membership from 80 to 90 through the addition of ten Presidential appointees, and adopting the establishment of a Zimbabwe Delimitation Commission.

The report also lists adoption of amendments touching on judicial appointments and Constitutional Court jurisdiction, while recommending the adoption of repealing provisions relating to the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission.

On matters affecting commissions and traditional leadership, the report records that the committee recommends rejecting a proposal to repeal the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, instead stating that it should remain in place. It also recommends rejecting the proposal to allow traditional leaders to participate in politics, citing conflicts with constitutional provisions on neutrality.

The report provides public participation figures, stating that 54,231 people attended public hearings nationwide. It further records 540,037 written submissions, with 537,102 supporting the Bill and 2,935 opposing it.

Bindura Eye will publish further details from the report as more sections are made available, including how the proposed changes may affect governance, elections and constitutional oversight institutions.

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