BRIEFING ON THE ZIMBABWE CONSTITUTIONAL
REFERENDUM
Presentation to the Portfolio Committee on
International Relations and Cooperation
Deputy Minister Ebrahim
20 March 2013
INTRODUCTION
This
briefing will focus on the Zimbabwe Constitutional Referendum which was held on 16 March 2013.
In keeping with Article 6 of the Global Political Agreement
(GPA) and Articles 3 and 4 of the Referendum Act and Electoral Act, Zimbabwe
conducted a Constitutional Referendum on
Saturday, 16 March 2013.
The holding
of the Constitutional Referendum is one of the three milestones in the
implementation of the GPA, namely formation of the Inclusive Government,
Constitutional Referendum and the harmonised elections.
Most
importantly, the holding of the Constitutional Referendum paves the way for the holding of the forthcoming
harmonised elections.
Harmonised
elections are expected to be held between July and October 2013.
REFERENDUM
•
South
Africa formed part of the SADC Election Observer Mission (SEOM) which was
deployed in Zimbabwe among other Observer Missions.
•
The
SADC Mission deployed in total seventy-eight observers covering all nine
provinces.
•
According to the statement of the SADC Mission,
polling was conducted procedurally and procedures for secure counting of votes
were adhered to.
•
All Observers in their reports indicated that
the Referendum was largely tolerant, transparent and smooth.
•
The SADC Mission concluded that the
Constitutional Referendum was peaceful and credible.
•
In terms of the Regulations, the results of the
Referendum must be announced no later than five days after the close of
polling, meaning they should be announced on or before Thursday, 21 March 2013
•
It generally expected that a “Yes” vote will
prevail because the three main political parties had agreed on the draft and
had campaigned for a “yes” vote.
•
Other political parties that are not party to
the GPA including ZAPU, also campaigned for a “yes” vote.
•
One small political party and an NGO called
National Constitutional Assembly campaigned for a “no” vote.
WAY
FORWARD
•
When the results of the Referendum are announced
and the results confirm that the Draft Constitution has been adopted by the
electorate, the Minister of Parliamentary and Constitutional Affairs will take
the draft Constitution to Parliament and introduce a Constitution Bill.
•
After the
Bill is endorsed by Parliament, it will then be sent to the President for his
assent.
•
Once
the President has assented, the Bill will become law upon gazetting. Thereafter
the country will be expected to finalise preparations for elections.
CONCLUSION
•
In keeping with the SADC mandate, the
Facilitator (President Zuma) and the Facilitation Team will continue to assist the people of Zimbabwe to
prepare for the holding of credible and peaceful harmonised elections.
•
Considering our obligation in terms of the GPA,
SADC remains seized with the question of Zimbabwe.
No comments:
Post a Comment