For some reason going to vote always gives me a thrill. However I wish this Referendum on the Constitution was more meaningful. Nonetheless I’ve had my say. As these photographs show there wasn’t a stampede to vote – a reflection of the apathy this time round. (Courteney Selous School)

On the Zimbabwe Constitutional Referendum 16th March 2013

A national constitution is the supreme law by which a country and its people are governed. Every citizen and institution must live by, respect and defend this document. However, the genesis of this respect and defense must come from express support for the document from the people. We seek that endorsement today in Zimbabwe. Those that govern must do so with the consent of the governed, using instruments expressly endorsed by the governed. That is our agenda today. This referendum is not about politicians. It is about the people in their generality. It is a day for all citizens, the governed, to speak decisively and authoritatively on whether this draft constitution adequately captures how they want to be governed.

Let the people speak.

Arthur G.O.Mutambara
Deputy Prime Minister
Republic of Zimbabwe

These are messages coming in from Kubatana subscribers from around Zimbabwe:

Here in Masvingo town Sisk B/Centre as at 0900, there was no queue; people were voting peacefully; everything seemed to be in place.

I was at St Catherine near Newlands shops. The turnout was good. Environment good. Just pray for this environment on presidential.

I have noted with concern the freedom in Mbare. The process of voting is going on peacefully but yesterday people were forced/summoned to go to different ZANU PF bases to be given last minute instruction on the next day of voting for referendum. What I observed to be of intimidation matter was that people were told they should come to the bases after voting to register their names and if you do not do that they said they would link you to MDC and to be forcefully evicted from there houses and replace with pro ZANU PF supporters which is unlawful. To me this I don’t think its fair in what you call a democratic country.

Again on Thursday summons were distributed from what they called City of Harare they were send to houses in Jourburk lines in Mbare for overdue accounts, from reliable sources I am told summons to ZANU PF members were held by the party authorities in the area but if they suspect you are an MDC supporter or you are non partisan the summons were delivered. What I see is the party is trying to intimidate people ahead of the polls. On the same summons issue I was issued with one the copy I have it my dues are $1 400 and the one next door has a bill of $4 000 but since he is a pro ZANU no action – is this fair. You can investigate all issues I have highlighted above they are true. The party authorities in the area have photocopies of the voters roll. On the issue of City of Harare and overdue accounts I understand there is the issue of pay plan why cant they give residents chance to clear and again since the Council is dominated by MDC councilors why do they seem not to have a heart and approve summons which will make their party to be at a disadvantage with the residents.

I am in Mt Darwin. The situation is calm. Things are proceeding well. We pray for a future, which we hope, is being shaped today.

Here in Hwange there is low turnout of people.

Now at the poling station in Nyanga. Many people are voting. Talked to some, they are very happy for the new constitution. Hope to see positive results.

I m in Glen Norah B I voted by 7:30am @ Glen Norah High 2 School. Area very calm but a lot of people do not know what they are voting for especially women. The vote campaign didn’t reach people. No violence in Glen Norah or toyi toyi. I will be updating u on everything if confirm this email.

Very few people are voting. Voter apathy in Karoi town. People don’t know what to vote for Yes or No. The Draft was fast tracked to people

Am at Rimbi polling station; people are voting in peace but turn up is still low and is expected to increase with time.

The Sadza command centre polling station opened at exactly 0700 hrs. The voters started to trickle in to exercise their right. The environment here is calm & peaceful. I am expecting that by midday many people will have cast their votes. Some shops are closed as their owners are going to vote. The command centre is well manned by police officers.

Here in Chipinge, referendum is going well and I hope it will go the same through the day.

Nothing much is happening, only that people are not certain about the future ahead of either of the results, in Gaza, Chipinge.

I’m so unhappy our bosses did not excuse us from work to go and vote. Remember this is a national event and every vote counts. Such issues should be reviewed at national television and proper measures should be taken against such bosses. Am so unhappy.

Mash Central. Mazowe North. Mvurwi people are going 2 vote in numbers although no long queues.

Am in Chiredzi, Hippo Valley Mill. Low turnout corresponding to the number of population around the polling station, the environment is safe. Hope as time passes turnout will increase.

People are voting but as for the Seventh-day Adventist Church members, they are saying we are not going to vote, for we already have the law of God in the Bible.

I am in Mutare and have already voted. It’s so quiet in the city and people are voting peacefully. We thank God for that.

People have come in fairly large numbers especially the elderly I’m worried about the youth they are very reserved and view the voting system as an adult issue. Serious voter education is needed in our rural Plumtree.

In Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, the best peaceful elections so far!

In Zengeza there is a overwhelming response.

Aidah from Zaka; lots of people casting their votes.

Check out an analysis of Presidential power and Zimbabwe’s draft Constitution by Derek Matyszak, Research and Advocacy Unit (RAU) to help you broaden your knowledge before voting in tomorrow’s Referendum.

The political environment that is hostile to democratic engagement still exists. – Ozias Tungawara, Director of the Africa Governance Monitoring and Advocacy Project on there being a misplaced perception that a Yes vote for the draft constitution will deliver a credible election. (on SW Radio Africa)

The clampdown on dissent that is being witnessed in Zimbabwe currently is entirely at odds with the expanded bill of rights proposed by the new constitution. – Noel Kututwa, Amnesty International.

Let me say something about the draft constitution. There is nothing wrong with it, nothing at all. – Robert Mugabe (Deutsche Welle online)

We are going into the referendum to vote for it because local political and traditional leadership have said we must vote ‘Yes’ and this is what we will do. We also like the document because it limits presidential term limits and this is something positive given where we are coming from. – Jack Jimu, Talking Harare, CORAH’s newsletter

We hear that our children will go to primary schools without paying anything and this is very positive. – Miriam Manjoro on why she is voting Yes in the Referendum, Talking Harare, CORAH’s newsletter

Whilst it is good that there is a new constitution, I do not think it is going to change anything because we have seen good laws in the country being ignored when it comes to implementation. For example we have seen people being arrested, detained for a long time and then discharged without charge yet the country’s laws prohibit this. What is needed is to have leadership that respects its people first and then everything will follow. – Stephen Murefu, on why he is voting No in the Referendum, Talking Harare, CORAH’s newsletter

This constitution did not come from the people, I think you still remember people were forced to attend the meetings and coached by politicians on what to say. Even after that, the so-called principals went on to make unilateral changes to what had come out and so clearly, this is not a people’s document. – Maxwell Marembo on the Referendum, Talking Harare, CORAH’s newsletter

The Referendum Polling Stations provisional list for on Kubatana has now been updated and covers the whole country! Specifically:

• Harare
• Bulawayo
• Manicaland
• Mashonaland East
• Mashonaland Central
• Mashonaland West
• Masvingo
• Matabeleland North
• Matabeleland South
• Midlands

Take a look so you know where to vote Saturday in Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Referendum.

Also, if you’re in Harare or Bulawayo, try our clickable maps for these provinces – just click on a shaded area of the map for a list of nearby polling stations near you.