Zimbabwe war veterans back Amendment bill number 3

Zimbabwe's proposed constitutional changes under Amendment Bill No. 3 are triggering intense debate, after war veterans backed a shift that would see the President elected by Parliament rather than through a direct popular vote.

In a letter dated 19 March 2026, a group of war veterans represented by Joshua Mutizamhepo argued that the proposed system would reduce electoral conflict and bring stability to the country. They said Zimbabwe's past elections have often been characterised by violence, disputes and rejection of results by losing candidates, and believe a parliamentary system would eliminate many of these tensions.

At the centre of the proposal is a clause that introduces a parliamentary voting system to elect the President. Under this model, Members of Parliament would vote, and a candidate would need a majority to win. If no candidate secures an outright majority, a run-off would be held within Parliament, overseen by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

Supporters of the change argue it would ensure continuity in governance and reduce the likelihood of contested outcomes. The war veterans say such a system would promote unity and certainty, drawing on Zimbabwe's history of disputed elections, including the 2018 challenge by Nelson Chamisa, who took the electoral results to court, and the violence that followed the 2008 presidential run-off.

However, the proposed amendment has drawn strong criticism from opposition figures and legal experts. Critics argue that transferring presidential selection to Parliament would concentrate power in the hands of lawmakers and weaken citizens' direct role in choosing their leader. There are also concerns that such a significant constitutional shift should require a national referendum rather than a parliamentary process alone.

Beyond the electoral changes, the bill also proposes extending terms of office for elected officials from five to seven years and increasing the number of senators from 60 to 80 — measures that critics say could further entrench political power.

Public consultations are now underway, with the Parliament of Zimbabwe scheduling hearings across the country to gather citizens' views. Zimbabweans have also been invited to submit written feedback, either electronically or physically at the new Parliament building in Mt Hampden.

The outcome of these consultations is likely to shape one of the most consequential constitutional debates in Zimbabwe's recent history, as the country weighs stability against democratic participation.