Zimbabwe's general elections which were expected to be held in March next year may have to be delayed until June to allow time for a national referendum on the country's proposed constitutional reform, media reports said on Thursday.
Emmerson Mnangagwe, minister for justice, legal and parliamentary affairs, said a delay might be necessary so that the elections could be held under the new constitution. He added that it would also give the government time to compile a new voters roll. Recently the United Nations described the
existing voters rolls as being "flawed".
Zimbabwean media reports said that the delay was likely to come under sharp criticism from opposition groups in Zimbabwe, who have already staged protests against the proposed constitution. According to opposition groups the new constitution does not take into account and reflect the "real wishes" of the Zimbabwean people.
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