Zimbabwe to Vote on March 16

{{ Zimbabwe’s constitutional affairs minister says a referendum on a new constitution has been “tentatively” set for March 16 to be followed by fresh elections later in to end the nation’s shaky coalition government.}}

State radio reported Thursday that Minister Eric Matinenga, an aide of Prime Ministear Morgan Tsvangirai, said President Robert Mugabe is expected to proclaim the date in a government notice on Friday.

Voting is scheduled over one day, a departure from the routine two days of polling, the radio said.

Advocacy groups say such a hasty poll prevents adequate voter education on the rewritten constitution.

It was completed on Feb. 6 after three years of disputes, bickering and delays. Democratic reforms to the constitution were a key demand of regional mediators after violent and disputed elections in 2008.

AP