Zimbabwe is on the brink of significant constitutional changes proposed by the ruling Zanu-PF party, which critics warn could fundamentally reshape its democratic landscape and potentially revert the country to a one-party state. These reforms aim to extend presidential and parliamentary terms, and crucially, alter the method of presidential selection from a direct popular vote to an election by members of parliament. The proposed amendments have ignited a fierce debate, with proponents citing a desire to reduce election-related violence and opponents raising serious concerns about the concentration of power and erosion of democratic checks.

The core of the proposed changes involves two major shifts: extending presidential and parliamentary terms from five to seven years, and abolishing the direct popular vote for the presidency in favor of a parliamentary election. If approved, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, 83, who is currently serving his second term since 2023, would see his mandate extended by an additional two years beyond its scheduled end in 2028. This move has drawn parallels to the governance style of former President Robert Mugabe, with critics like Blessing Vava, head of a regional civil society coalition, asserting that "The changes will morph the country into a one-party state system of governance which former President Mugabe attempted to do."

The process by which these reforms are being introduced has also faced severe criticism. Zimbabwe's 2013 constitution mandates a 90-day public consultation period for amendments. However, in this instance, public hearings were delayed and subsequently condensed into a mere four days, from March 30 to April 2. David Coltart, Mayor of Bulawayo and a human rights lawyer, described the consultation as "wholly inadequate" and highlighted numerous reports of intimidation and violence surrounding the process. He cited the arrest of Tendai Biti and the assault of his son, Doug Coltart, during hearings, alongside an attack on opposition leader Lovemore Madhuku, underscoring the tense environment.

Conversely, supporters of the Constitutional Amendment Bill 3 argue that these changes could mitigate the pervasive issue of election-related violence, which has marred Zimbabwe's political history, including incidents in 2018 and 2023. Edith Matsambi, a supporter from Mashonaland Central, expressed at public hearings that "So the president should continue in office for longer, even up to 10 years," believing it would stabilize the political environment. Another supporter suggested that indirect presidential elections, where MPs elect the president, would significantly reduce tensions often associated with direct popular contests.

However, critics contend that instead of reducing violence, the reforms risk concentrating excessive power within the presidency and the ruling party. David Coltart expressed no doubt that Zanu-PF would leverage its parliamentary majority to push through these changes, thereby consolidating control. Civicus, a global civil society alliance, echoed this sentiment, arguing that the proposed voting changes would strip the presidency of its democratic legitimacy. These concerns are rooted in the fact that the reforms directly undermine safeguards enshrined in the 2013 constitution, which was overwhelmingly approved by 94.5 percent of voters. This constitution, introduced after Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule ended in a 2017 military coup, specifically limited presidents to two five-year terms to prevent long-term, authoritarian governance.

Since 2013, several of these initial safeguards have already been eroded. Zanu-PF previously removed public interviews for senior judicial appointments, and a 2021 amendment further eliminated interviews for judicial promotions and the prosecutor general. Coltart warns that the latest amendments escalate this trend, granting the president additional powers to nominate judges, those responsible for preparing the voters' roll, and senators. He stated that these provisions "go back to the very darkest days of Mugabe's rule in the 1980s and 1990s," indicating a return to an era of centralized power.

A crucial constitutional requirement stipulates that changes affecting a sitting president's term must undergo a national referendum after parliamentary approval. Yet, there are strong doubts among critics that such a referendum will actually be held. Blessing Vava cautioned that while Zanu-PF might attempt to bypass a referendum, doing so would severely compromise their legitimacy. Should the reforms pass parliament without a referendum, opponents like David Coltart have indicated their intention to challenge the amendments in the Constitutional Court, viewing it as their sole remaining avenue to contest these sweeping changes.