The country voted in a constitutional referendum on Saturday, March 16, 2013.

Counting began yesterday March 17, 2013 in Zimbabwe’s referendum that is expected to endorse a new constitution. Zimbabweans on Saturday March 16, 2013 voted as both the ruling ZANU-PF and the main opposition MDC party, who are coalition partners in the current government, urged voters to approve it, BBC reported. Election officials said results would be announced within five days.

Reports say the vote passed off relatively peacefully, unlike the 2008 presidential election that was marred by violence. Commenting on the exercise, President Robert Mugabe, 89, said the inputs of the people were taken into account as they were consulted on the type of President and Parliament they wanted. Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, 61, of the MDC, expressed hope that approval of the document would set in a new political culture of constitutionalism.

Apart from limiting future Presidents to two five-year terms, the draft also proposes a Bill of Rights to protect free expression, devolution to provincial authorities, scrapping the President's power to veto legislation and a halt to legal challenges against land redistribution. It allows for the removal of a President if they are found guilty of serious misconduct, violating the constitution or are physically or mentally incapacitated. A Constitutional Court will be set up along with a Human Rights Commission. Gay marriage will be banned and capital punishment retained.

Zimbabwe’s former colonial master, Britain, brokered a peace deal between Robert Mugabe's independence fighters and Ian Smith's Rhodesian regime, leading to the signing of the 1979 Lancaster House Constitution. The first attempt at constitutional reform in 2000 was narrowly defeated in referendum after the MDC opposed it. Elections are expected next July with President Mugabe, the country’s leader since independence, and PM Morgan Tsvangirai, expected to take part.