President Confirms Date for Zimbabwe Constitution Vote

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe on Friday confirmed the holding of a referendum on a new constitution on March 16.

"I consider it desirable to ascertain the views of voters on whether or not the draft constitution should be enacted as the constitution of Zimbabwe," Mugabe said in a notice in the official government gazette.

"Now, therefore, I do, by this proclamation appoint Saturday the 16th March, 2013 as the day on which the referendum will be held."

Mugabe's declaration follows earlier announcements by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and constitutional affairs minister Eric Matinenga.

Zimbabweans will be asked to vote on a basic law that would, for the first time, set presidential term limits and abolish the head of state's immunity.

It would also set the stage for a presidential and legislative election that will be held in July, according to Tsvangirai.

Then, Zimbabweans will face a choice between Tsvangirai and Mugabe, who entered an uneasy coalition government after bloody 2008 elections.

A victory for the 88-year-old Mugabe would extend his 32 years in power, a reign that in the last decade has been marked by economic meltdown and serious rights violations.