Zimbabwe Parliament Approves Controversial Constitutional Amendment Bill 3

On 18 June 2026 Zimbabwe’s National Assembly passed Constitutional Amendment Bill 3 (CAB 3) with 216 votes in favour and 42 against. The legislation would shift the election of the president from a direct popular vote to a parliamentary decision, transfer control of the voters’ roll to the Registrar‑General, and extend certain term limits from five to seven years, potentially allowing President Emmerson Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030.

The Zimbabwe Communist Party condemned the vote as a “constitutional coup”, arguing that the parliamentary majority did not reflect the will of the people, that public consultations were heavily restricted, and that many MPs who voted for the bill were appointed after recalls rather than elected. Critics also warned that the bill undermines electoral independence and entrenches ZANU‑PF’s power. Internal dissent within the ruling party has been reported, with some MPs reportedly uneasy about the bill’s hidden clauses.

Opposition legislators such as Joanna Mamombe highlighted the danger of handing voter‑roll control to an office lacking constitutional safeguards, while supporters claim the changes are needed for administrative efficiency. The debate continues amid accusations of arrests, intimidation of activists and limited space for genuine public participation.