Chitungwiza – Hundreds of Zanu PF supporters gathered at a high-density suburb rally in Chitungwiza on Sunday to throw their weight behind Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, arguing that the proposed legislation is essential for curbing election-related violence and ensuring the continuity of the country’s development agenda.

Party supporters, converged at Macheka ground in St Mary’s, Corner shops , Zengeza, Pagomba also in Zengeza, Unit L community hall and Seke North where they endorsed the bill to local party leadership.

Speakers at the meeting argued that the amendments, which among other provisions seek to extend the presidential term and realign election timelines, are a necessary mechanism to stabilize the political environment. They claimed that the current electoral cycle fosters a perpetual state of campaigning, which they said often results in clashes between rival party supporters.

“We are tired of the violence that comes every time we have elections,” said Tichaona Moyo, a party supporter who spoke to this publication. “This bill is not about an individual; it is about stopping the chaos. If we extend the tenure, we remove the constant tension of elections so we can live in peace and focus on our daily lives.”

Youths who attended the meeting echoed the same sentiments and called for the presidential term extention adding that elections cost the country resources.

Beyond the issue of political stability, supporters emphasized the need for uninterrupted implementation of development projects. They argued that the current electoral cycle disrupts long-term infrastructure and economic programs, as government attention shifts to campaigning.

“Development does not happen in five-year bursts. It requires consistency,” said Grace Chikwanha, a resident and party member. “The President has a vision for 2030. We are seeing roads being built, dams being constructed, and industries reopening. If we keep stopping for elections every few years, this momentum dies.”

The “Vision 2030” reference aligns with the government’s stated goal of achieving an upper-middle-income economy by the end of the decade. Supporters at the meetings asserted that the President requires an extended timeframe without electoral interruptions to fully realize these targets.

Local ward leadership echoed the sentiments, framing the bill as a development imperative rather than a political maneuver.

“We are not just asking for this amendment for the sake of politics,” said Simbarashe Marufu, a local party member. “We are asking for it so that the trajectory of development does not get derailed. The people of Chitungwiza want water, they want jobs, they want infrastructure. The President has a plan to deliver that, but he needs the time to do it without distractions.”

The gathering in Chitungwiza is part of a broader series of solidarity marches organized across the country’s provinces as the bill moves through the legislative process. Proponents of the amendment have argued that the changes will reduce the frequency of election seasons, thereby saving public resources and curbing political tensions.

Critics of the bill, however, have described the amendment as a move to consolidate power and undermine democratic checks and balances. Opposition parties and civic society organizations have vowed to challenge the bill in both Parliament and the courts, arguing that it is being rushed through without adequate public consultation.

The bill is currently pending further debate in the National Assembly.