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| Zimbabwe approves new constitution | Zimbabwe approves new constitution |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Zimbabwe's new constitution was approved by an overwhelming majority in Saturday's referendum, the electoral commission has said. | Zimbabwe's new constitution was approved by an overwhelming majority in Saturday's referendum, the electoral commission has said. |
| The document, which will limit future presidents to two five-year terms, was backed by more than three million votes - nearly 95% of those who voted. | The document, which will limit future presidents to two five-year terms, was backed by more than three million votes - nearly 95% of those who voted. |
| It was supported by the countries' two main political parties who have been in a power-sharing government since 2009. | It was supported by the countries' two main political parties who have been in a power-sharing government since 2009. |
| The constitution's approval paves the way for elections later in the year. | The constitution's approval paves the way for elections later in the year. |
| The clause limiting presidential terms will not apply retrospectively, so Zanu-PF's 89-year-old leader, President Robert Mugabe, will be able to stand again in elections expected in July. | |
| He will again face the Movement for Democratic (MDC) change leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who is currently serving as prime minister in the coalition. | |
| The two agreed to share power after disputed polls in 2008 which were marred by violence. | |
| A new constitution was one of key elements of the power-sharing deal. | |
| The official turnout in Saturday's referendum, at slightly more than half the six million eligible voters, was higher than many analysts had expected, Reuters news agency reports. | |
| During campaigning the MDC focused on clauses guaranteeing protection against violence, and free and fair voting. | |
| The Zanu-PF campaign highlighted the irreversibility of the land reform programme, which saw some 4,500 farms seized from mainly white commercial farmers. |