Emakhandeni-Luveve Member of Parliament Descent Bajila has turned to social media to engage constituents on the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, ahead of public hearings scheduled for this week.
The move comes amid reports that opposition figures are facing resistance in holding public consultations on the proposed legislation.
Bajila used his constituency communication platforms to run a series of polls aimed at gauging public understanding and opinion on key provisions of the Bill.
In one poll, he asked whether respondents had read the Bill. Of those who took part, 93 said they had read it, 27 had not, and 18 said they had only read it partially.
Another question asked how constituents viewed the Bill. A majority of 141 respondents said it “takes away the people’s power to decide who leads them and for how long”, while 28 said it was “meant to allow development to continue without disruption from elections”. Four respondents said they did not care.
On whether traditional leaders such as chiefs, headmen and village heads should be allowed to hold positions in political parties, 134 respondents opposed the idea, arguing that traditional leaders must remain neutral, while 24 supported it on the basis of political rights. Three expressed no opinion.
Most respondents also opposed the proposed dissolution of the Zimbabwe Gender Commission. While 26 said its functions could be absorbed by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, 105 said gender equality issues require dedicated attention. Three respondents were indifferent.
Asked who should elect the president, 140 respondents said all citizens should vote, while 15 said Members of Parliament should elect the president. One respondent said they did not care.
On voter registration, Bajila asked whether responsibility should remain with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) or be transferred to the Registrar-General, as was the case before 2013. Eighty-nine respondents supported ZEC, 39 chose the Registrar-General, three selected neither option, and nine said they did not care.
Participants were also asked about preferred term lengths for the president and parliamentarians. A total of 135 respondents supported five-year terms, 16 preferred four years, nine chose seven years, three opted for more than seven years, and six favoured less than four years. No one voted for six-year terms.
On proposals to allow the president to appoint an additional 10 senators, 40 respondents said the Senate should be abolished, 10 supported maintaining the current number, and four each supported increasing or reducing it. None said they did not care.
Bajila’s digital engagement comes as ruling party members are reportedly conducting on-the-ground consultations, while opposition figures face arrests and alleged assaults.
Over the weekend, Tendai Biti, convener of the Constitutional Defenders Forum, was arrested in Mutare while conducting a door-to-door campaign opposing the Bill.
Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart also criticised the process, saying the Bill was being handled improperly. Writing on X, he argued that any amendment extending the term of current leaders would require a referendum.
“I am not sure what a brazen breach of a fundamental constitutional provision, namely the obligation to have a referendum if an amendment extends the term of office of incumbents, has to do with ‘progressive democracy’,” he said.
Parliament is expected to hold public hearings nationwide over four days, from 30 March to 2 April 2026, as part of consultations on the proposed changes.
In Bulawayo, hearings will be held on 30 March at the Large City Hall at 10:00 and at Nketa Hall at 14:00.
The outreach programme aims to gather public input on the Bill, which has sparked debate over governance, accountability and the balance of power.
Support CITE’s fearless, independent journalism. Your donation helps us amplify community voices, fight misinformation, and hold power to account. Help keep the truth alive. Donate today