Zimbabweans approve new constitution by landslide

ZIMBABWE: Almost 95 percent of Zimbabweans have voted in favour of a new constitution that would trim President Robert Mugabe’s powers and pave the way for new elections, results showed Tuesday.

Tallies of the weekend referendum released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission showed 3,079,966 voters backed the new constitution and 179,489 were against.

“The majority of the votes were received in favour,” said Lovemore Sekeramayi, the official in charge of the vote tally. “It is declared to have been adopted by the people of Zimbabwe.” Some 56,627 ballots were spoiled, meaning that of the estimated six million Zimbabweans eligible to vote, 3.3 million exercised that right.

Mugabe and his long-time rival Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai both backed the draft, which will usher in fresh polls to end the pair’s tense unity government. The text also limits presidents to two five-year terms in office, boosts parliament’s powers but abolishes the post of prime minister.

AFP