Member of Parliament for Bulawayo Central, Surrender Kapoikilu, has called on citizens to actively participate in the upcoming public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment Bill, scheduled to run from March 30 to April 2, 2026.
The proposed law introduces wide-ranging changes to Zimbabwe’s constitutional framework, including extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, replacing direct presidential elections with a parliamentary vote, and restructuring several independent commissions.
In Bulawayo, the hearings will be held on March 30 at the Large City Hall at 10am and Nketa Hall at 2pm.
“We will be soon coming as Parliament to hear your views on the Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Bill of 2026. Our duty is to explain the Bill in simple terms and then listen to what you, the citizens, think about it,” said Kapoikilu.
He said the Bill proposes extending the term of office for both the President and Members of Parliament from five to seven years, a move that would shift the next general elections from 2028 to 2030 if adopted.
“The Bill also proposes a major change to the way the president is elected, moving from a direct popular vote to a system where members of parliament elect the Head of State. In cases where no candidate secures an outright majority, a run-off would be conducted within parliament,” he said.
Kapoikilu added that the Bill proposes increasing the number of Senators from 80 to 90 through the appointment of 10 additional members, and transferring the responsibility for delimiting electoral boundaries from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to a newly proposed Electoral Delimitation Commission.
He said the proposed law also seeks to reform judicial appointment procedures by removing the requirement for public interviews of judges.
“The proposed amendments also include abolishing the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, with its functions expected to be absorbed by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission,” he said.
“Additionally, the Bill proposes revising the constitutional role of the Defence Forces, changing the current obligation to uphold and defend the Constitution, to a requirement to act in accordance with the Constitution.”
Kapoikilu said Parliament’s outreach programme is meant to gather public input.
“As Members of Parliament, we are not here to tell you what to think. We are here to listen to your views,” he said.
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