Staff Reporter
Harare-The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change says it will use the parliamentary process to push for further refinement of the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill before taking a final position on the legislation.
In a statement released on Monday, Interim National Spokesperson Nqobizitha Mlilo said the party believes the Bill, in its current form, still requires adjustments to improve its structure, language and overall national appeal.
Mlilo said the party had resolved to engage further during parliamentary debate and committee stages in a bid to ensure the proposed amendments reflect broader national interests.
“The CCC will use the upcoming parliamentary debate and committee stages to propose amendments aimed at improving the Bill’s structure and content,” said Mlilo.He said the party had chosen to suspend active opposition to the Bill in order to create room for constructive engagement with ZANU-PF.According to Mlilo, the opposition party believes constitutional reforms should be guided by inclusive dialogue and consensus-building rather than partisan interests.
He noted that Zimbabwe is undergoing a critical transition that requires broad-based participation and shared national understanding to achieve long-term stability and economic progress.
Mlilo added that the party’s final position during the parliamentary vote would depend on whether the revised draft demonstrates a genuine commitment to national unity and collective national interests.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, commonly referred to as CAB3, has generated intense national debate since its introduction in Parliament. Government has argued that the proposed amendments are aimed at addressing recurring electoral disputes, strengthening governance systems and promoting policy continuity.
Among the key proposals in the Bill are changes to the electoral framework, adjustments to provisions relating to the running mate clause for presidential candidates, and measures affecting the timing and management of elections. The Bill also seeks to align certain constitutional provisions with existing governance practices and administrative processes.
The public consultation process conducted across the country recently drew mixed reactions from political parties, civil society organisations, churches and ordinary citizens, with some supporting the proposed changes while others raised concerns over transparency, constitutionalism and the concentration of executive power.
The parliamentary debate and committee stages are expected to play a critical role in determining whether the Bill will be amended before it is brought for a final vote in Parliament.
