At stake in this Referendum:

• Zimbabweans will be asked to vote on a draft constitution that would, for the first time, set presidential term limits and abolish the head of state's immunity. The new constitution will also remove all existing age limits for presidential candidates. Additionally, the draft law would set the stage for President Robert MUGABE and Prime Minister Morgan TSVANGIRAI to face off in a presidential election, which would be held in tandem with a legislative election. This will be the first election since the disputed and violent 2008 elections, ending the Government of National Unity (GNU), the ruling coalition established in 2009.

Description of government structure:

• Chief of State: Executive President Robert Gabriel MUGABE
• Head of Government: Prime Minister Morgan TSVANGIRAI
• Assembly: Zimbabwe has a bicameral Parliament consisting of the Senate with 93 seats* and the House of Assembly with 210 seats.

* In the Senate, 60 members representing each province are elected by popular vote, 10 are provincial governors are nominated by the president, 16 seats are occupied by traditional chiefs elected by the Council of Chiefs, 2 seats are held by the president and deputy president of the Council of Chiefs, and 5 members are appointed by the president to represent special interests.

Population and number of registered voters:

• Population: 12,754,378 ( 2011 est. 12,754,378)
• Registered Voters: 5,934,768 ( 2008 )