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process was over and the way forward rested with the GPA principals.
Analysts said it was clear the principals would have a final say on the draft Constitution.
They said it would be costly to Government and donors if political parties push a contentious document to the referendum, which the people would reject.
The MDC formations have endorsed the draft Constitution in its current form and indicated that further debate is closed until the all stakeholders’ conference.
They said principals to the GPA did not have anything to do with the draft.
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Zanu-PF audited the document and recommended amendments, saying some of the provisions in the proposed Constitution deviated from the people’s views.
Political analyst Dr Charity Manyeruke said every political party in the GPA was important and its concerns should be taken on board.
“No political party should be ignored in the GPA. This is a lifetime document that should be carefully scrutinised and negotiated.
“We have to be objective than taking Constitution-making like an electoral process. They (MDC) might have finished consulting, but I don’t think they did it thoroughly,” said Dr Manyeruke.
Zanu-PF is putting its amendments into legal language and will hand them over to the principals after the Heroes and Defence Forces holidays.
Ex-Zimbabwe Union of Democrats leader Mrs Margaret Dongo said there was no shortcut to democracy.
“If they (MDC) are democratic as they claim to be, other political parties should be allowed to air their views on the draft.”
Mrs Dongo said taking a problematic document to the referendum would be costly.
“They have spent over US$45 million on the process and if they go to a referendum divided, it would be rejected and it means starting all over,” she said.
“The parties need to accommodate each other if we are to have a new Constitution.”
National Constitutional Assembly chairman Professor Lovemore Madhuku said his organisation would have nothing to do with the draft Constitution.
“We no longer have much to say, except to say we are against the process,” he said. “This is what happens when you allow politicians to take lead of an important process like this one.”
Contested areas in the draft include national objectives and foundations, the significance of the liberation struggle, the appointment of provincial governors, the establishment of the constitutional court and the tenure of the GPA, to mention just a few.
Online Reporter