COPAC chairman Douglas Mwonzora said the draft will now be taken to parliament where it will be promulgated into law and then signed by President Robert Mugabe
HARARE, WASHINGTON —
Zimbabweans endorsed the draft consitution with 3.1 million voting 'Yes' and only 179,000 voting 'No', according to Zimbabwe Electoral Commission's (ZEC) chief Lovemore Sekeramayi.
ZEC said 56,627 ballots were spoiled, so not counted. The electoral body said 3,079,966 voted "Yes" and only 179,489 voting "No.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chief elections officer, Lovemore Sekeramayi, declared the draft duly adopted as the constitution of Zimbabwe.
COPAC chairman, Douglas Mwonzora, of the Movement for Democratic Change formation of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said the draft will now be taken to parliament where it will be promulgated into law and then signed by President Robert Mugabe.
European Union deputy ambassador to Zimbabwe, Carl Skau, welcomed the announcement saying its paves way for the elections in Zimbabwe.
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Report filed by Irvin Chifera
Meanwhile, most people have expressed optimism that contents of the country’s newly adopted constitution will improve their lives once implemented.
Combined Harare Residents Association director Mfundo Mlilo, said residents’ expectations are high, especially on the improvement of service delivery in the capital.
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Interview with Mfundo Mlilo
Ambrose Sibindi, organizing secretary for the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association, tells V-O-A reporter Sithandekile Mhlanga that most people in the country’s second largest city welcome changes that will be brought about by devolution of power.
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Interview with Ambrose Sibindi
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Tsvangairai commended Zimbabweans for endorsing a new dispensation which must come with a new culture of constitutionalism and a rule of law.
Asked about the arrests of his staffers and human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, Mr. Tsvangirai described these as attempts to derail change.
He said this should not divert people from the democratic struggle.
Mtetwa, former MDC-T councillor Warship Dumba and three staffers from the prime minister’s office were remanded in custody to Wednesday when the court is expected to decide their fate.
Mtetwa, a prominent Zimbabwean lawyer and human rights activist, is facing charges of obstructing the course of justice while the other four are facing charges of violating the Official Secrets Act, the Criminal Codification Act and impersonating public officials among other charges.
