The Movement for Democratic Change formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has criticized the ZANU-PF party of President Robert Mugabe for urging its supporters to vote “Yes” on a new constitution that has yet to be drafted. In a statement issued Wednesday, the MDC described as “reckless and irresponsible” comments made by Vice President Joice Mujuru last weekend to supporters urging an affirmative vote.
An MDC statement said such utterances before the draft of a revised constitution has been completed could amount to an attempt to exert “undue influence” as to the outcome of an eventual referendum.
MDC spokesperson Tabitha Khumalo told VOA Studio 7 reporter Patience Rusere that despite many irregularities seen in the constitutional revision process, the party will decide whether to call for a "Yes” or “No” vote when it is done.
But political analyst George Mkhwanazi said the MDC should make up its mind about the constitution.
Elsewhere, the Law Society of Zimbabwe said it will present a model constitution to the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Revision on Friday. The draft constitution takes into account previous versions including one proposed by the National Constitutional Assembly, a civic group, the Kariba Draft favored by ZANU-PF and the Lancaster House constitution formulated in the runup to Zimbabwean independence, still in use though much amended.
Law Society President Josephat Tshuma told reporter Brenda Moyo views were gathered from lawyers and members of the public across the country based on the same thematic points used in the official outreach process.