Criticism is mounting following the enactment of Zimbabwe’s Constitutional Amendment Act number 6 of 2026, which effectively postpones the country’s next harmonised elections from 2028 to 2030.
The new legislation has sparked widespread concern among opposition parties, civil society organisations and international observers, who argue that it weakens democratic governance and undermines citizens’ constitutional right to regularly elect their leaders.
Zimbabwe’s opposition has also strongly condemned the new law and vowed to challenge its legality in the Constitutional Court.
The Zimbabwean government has, however, defended the amendments, insisting that they are lawful constitutional reforms aimed at promoting political stability, ensuring continuity in the implementation of long-term national development programmes and strengthening governance.
The legislation has intensified political tensions and is expected to remain the subject of legal and political contestation in the months ahead.
The newly enacted Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Act 6 of 2026 was published in a special Government Gazette after President Emmerson Mnangagwa assented to the legislation on July 7.
The enactment concludes a contentious five-month legislative process that began when the Bill was first gazetted in February 2026, triggering extensive public consultations and heated parliamentary debates before finally securing the required parliamentary approval and presidential assent.
–SABC–
