2013 Zimbabwean constitutional referendum
{{short description|none}}
{{EngvarB|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{infobox referendum
|date=16–17 March 2013
|country=Zimbabwe
|title={{Citation needed span|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 Gazette on the 15th of February 2013.
Are in favour of adopting that draft Constitution as the new Constitution of Zimbabwe? |date=September 2024}}
|yes=3,079,966
|no=179,489
|invalid=56,627
|electorate=
}}{{Politics of Zimbabwe}}
A constitutional referendum was held in Zimbabwe on 16 and 17 March 2013,[http://www.voazimbabwe.com/content/zimbabwe-referendum-douglas-mwonzora-people-vote-yes/1623254.html Referendum Vote Counting Continues in Zimbabwe][http://allafrica.com/stories/201303131344.html All Set for Zimbabwe's Referendum Vote] AllAfrica, 13 March 2013 after being postponed from September 2011{{cite news|last=Nyoni|first=Peter|title=Constitution referendum 'delayed to September'|url=http://www.zimdiaspora.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5297:zimbabwe-constitution-referendum-delayed-to-september&catid=38:travel-tips&Itemid=18|accessdate=15 May 2011|newspaper=The Zimdiaspora|date=24 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722141921/http://www.zimdiaspora.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5297:zimbabwe-constitution-referendum-delayed-to-september&catid=38:travel-tips&Itemid=18|archive-date=22 July 2011|url-status=dead}} and from 30 June 2011.[https://www.voanews.com/a/zimbabwes-constitutional-outreach-program-ends--106455103/156615.html Zimbabwe's Constitutional Outreach Program Ends] Voice of America, November 1, 2010 Ultimately the new constitution was approved by 94% of voters.[https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/zimbabwe-referendum-on-new-constitution-passes-with-945-percent-of-the-vote/2013/03/19/079055ec-90a2-11e2-9173-7f87cda73b49_story.html Zimbabwe: 94 percent vote for new constitution, but police jail rights lawyer for 3rd night]{{dead link|date=June 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The Washington Post, 19 March 2013
Background
President Robert Mugabe told the United Nations that the new government formed in February 2009 "has fostered an environment of peace and stability. Several reforms have been implemented and Government has created and instituted constitutional bodies agreed to in the Global Political Agreement." As a result, a constitutional outreach programme was underway; upon whose completion a draft constitution would be formulated as a precursor to a referendum. He hoped this would be followed by an election.{{Cite web |title=Statement by his Excellency Cde R G Mugabe President of the Republic of Zimbabwe to the 65th session of the United Nations General Assembly |url=http://www.un.org/en/ga/65/meetings/generaldebate/Portals/1/statements/634209412147500000ZW_en.pdf |date=24 September 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604212716/http://www.un.org/en/ga/65/meetings/generaldebate/Portals/1/statements/634209412147500000ZW_en.pdf |archive-date=4 June 2023 |access-date=22 September 2024}}
New constitution
The new constitution would limit the President to two five-year terms in office, though it did not apply retrospectively and therefore Mugabe was not restricted from seeking re-election. It abolished the post of Prime Minister,[https://web.archive.org/web/20151222193121/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-zimbabwe-cabinet-idUKBRE9890XN20130910 Mugabe appoints ZANU-PF lawyer as Zimbabwe finance minister] Reuters, 10 September 2013 and established an independent prosecuting authority, a peace and reconciliation commission and an anti-corruption commission.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21845444 Zimbabwe approves new constitution] BBC News, 19 March 2013 It also allowed for dual citizenship, but prevented any legal challenges to the land reform programme.
Results
{{Referendum results
| for = 3079966
| against = 179489
| invalid = 56627
| electorate =
| source = [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21845444 BBC]
}}