Rather amusing really to see the MDC pushing for a Yes vote in the Referendum through full page adverts in the press. Amusing because, whilst a robust Constitution is a must have, I wonder where the MDC get off saying this draft is worth supporting. For example the new Constitution says that every Zimbabwean is entitled to free basic education. Hmmm … and where is the money for this? The MDC also trumpets that the elderly are entitled to reasonable care and assistance, health care, medical assistance, AND social security and welfare from the state. Hmmm … and where is the money for this? Then of course we have the war veterans who, according to the new constitution are entitled to pension and basic health care. Hmm … and where is the money for this? Gloriously triumphant the MDC excitedly says that the new constitution does not allow for members of the security services to be members of political parties – this is a real HA HA HA moment. Because as we all know the security services take their orders from ZPF and if (a real long shot) the MDC ever occupies real office in Zimbabwe, the security forces would take orders from them. Another part of the MDC’s why you should vote Yes advert says that aliens who were born in Zimbabwe but of parents from the SADC region are now Zimbabweans by birth and they can now vote … hmmm, why only SADC Mr T?

COPAC, ZPF and the MDC should clearly state that whilst the new Constitution promises a lot, the inclusive government is unable to deliver on those promises.

People are being asked to vote Yes for a lot of hot air.

Think about it – politicians will say anything for a vote.

Constitutional Referendum Polling Stations (a provisional list) were published in the press yesterday by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission. ZEC advises that the final list will be published no later than 48 hours before the date of poll (16 March).

We’re in the process of making these available in electronic format – The Bulawayo and Harare Province (including Chitungwiza and Epworth) lists are on our site, and you can get them here. We’ll continue to add more provinces as we go.

Whilst this is still a “provisional” list, it is worth noting that these polling stations are very similar to those used in the 2008 General Election and Presidential Run-Off Election, so if there’s a polling station you know you’ve used in the past, chances are you can use it again.

It’s also worth noting that, whilst this information is presented by ZEC in Province, District, Constituency and Ward order, any Zimbabwean citizen over 18 can vote in the Referendum, at any polling station, regardless of whether you’re registered to vote, and regardless of where you live. You just need to bring your ID, waiting pass or passport.

So, take a look at the polling station lists, and do a search for your constituency, suburb or a school near you, and find out where you can vote next Saturday. Maybe make a note of a few polling stations near you, so that if the queue is quite long at one, you can just go to another.

And, if you haven’t decided how you’re going to vote yet, check out some of these resources to help you understand the Draft Constitution.

(Update 11 March – The provisional lists for Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland East are also now up as well here)

With just over a week left before the Referendum, understanding Zimbabwe’s Draft Constitution in time may sound like a daunting task. Besides, the full Constitution is 177 pages of leagalese, so you might not be in a huge rush to read the whole thing. But thanks to COPAC and the hard work of many civil society organisations, there are a number of documents out there to help you understand the key points about the Constitution, so that you may make an informed decision.

Here are a few suggestions on recommended Constitution reading:

• COPAC Summarised Constitution – Available in 11 languages
• Legal Resources Foundation Understanding the Constitution leaflet series
• Idasa Constitutional Scorecard
• Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU) discussion on Proportional representation: Exploring the unknown unknown
• Of camels, constitutions, and elections – Commentary from RAU
• Review of the COPAC draft Constitution & assessing Independent Commissions by Idasa
• A gender audit of COPAC draft Constitution from Zimbabwe Women Lawyers Association (ZWLA)
• Why Alex Magaisa is voting yes
• Why the NCA is voting no

Of course if you just can’t help yourself, you can read the full Draft Constitution:

• Download it as a PDF or Word document here
• Access it on biNu
• Get the Zimbabwe Draft Constitution App for Android [+ more coming soon]

And if you’re still curious, check out Kubatana’s special index page on the Constitution making process, which is chock-full of analysis, commentary and discussion on the Draft Constitution and the long process of getting to it.

Voting in the Referendum 16 March is easy for any Zimbabwean citizen over 18 years old – You just need to bring your ID / Passport / ID Waiting Pass. Find out more here.

Vertias releases Zimbabwe Draft Constitution App – Check out their announcement:

Veritas has made available an App for Android smart phones and tablets so you can download the COPAC draft constitution that is being put to the Referendum.

Read it, and share it
- wherever you are
- at your convenience

There is an index of Chapters, Parts and Sections and Schedules – just click on what you want to read or study

Use it as a handy reference at discussions and meetings

Express your views about the Draft on the App Forum!

The App will carry a link to a Forum on which you can compare and discuss your views on the Constitution with other users.

How to Download the App

If you have one of the following:
- An Android mobile phone running Android version 2.2 (Froyo) and later
- An Android tablet running Android version 2.2 (Froyo) and later

The App called Zimbabwe Constitution [Draft] is available from the Google Play Store.  For more information and download links go to www.veritaszim.net

Note: An App available for later models of Nokia and Blackberry smart phones and Blackberry tablets will be announced soon.

We regret that because of the rush between the finish of the constitution-making process and proclamation of the Referendum the App is in English only and also that we could not adapt it for use on Apple iphones.

Broadcasting or publication of false or misleading information related to Zimbabwe’s Draft Constitution and the associated Referendum to be held 16 March can incur a steep penalty, according to Veritas’ Constitution Watch 13/2013:

Broadcasting or Publication of False or Misleading Information

If it comes to the attention of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) that any broadcaster (including the public broadcaster ZBC) or print publisher (newspaper or magazine) that any YES or NO campaigner is publishing information on the Referendum question (YES/NO to the draft constitution) that ZEC thinks is either:
-    materially false or incorrect; or
-    likely to prevent a substantial number of voters from making an informed choice in the Referendum

ZEC may by written notice order the broadcaster or published concerned to cease publishing the information or alter the information to make it accurate and fair, or to retract or correct the information in a way directed by ZEC in its notice.  Failure to comply immediately is an offence attracting a fine of up to $300 or one year’s imprisonment.  (New Referendums Regulations, SI 26/2013, section 12)

Given the power the media can play in influencing opinion and action, certainly legislation that penalises the publication of “Constitution Falsehoods” makes a lot of sense. However, in a context like Zimbabwe’s, the potential for this legislation to be misused, or applied selectively – and prejudicially – is high. With public meetings by the Media Centre, the NCA, and even the MDC to discuss the Constitution being banned by police, there is a risk that legislation like this will move broadcasters and publishers into the role of censors, deliberately withholding information which they fear might incur a penalty from ZEC.