4 CONSTITUTION-MAKING AND CONSTITUTIONAL EXPECTATIONS 4.1 Expectations of the new constitution – Main trends (36) 4.2 Realism, moderation and high stakes in getting a new constitution (37) High stakes in getting a new constitution (37) Perspectives on the preceding constitution (38) 4.3 The 2010-11 constitutional process (38) 4.4 The ‘story’ of experiences of the COPAC process (39) News of the COPAC outreach meetings (40) Voices in the COPAC meetings (40) Time and timing for discussions and participants’ preparation for the COPAC discussions (41) Violence in the COPAC process (42) Issues that COPAC dealt with (42) 4.5 Constitutional content – trends and specifics of institutions (42) The constitution-making process in Zimbabwe is ongoing and is an activity that is close to the hearts of the Zimbabweans in this poll – even if they have only modestly participated. They have seen quite a number of constitution-making processes unfold. During the process of 200, the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) led the opposition to the constitution, and was associated with the formation of the MDC. The contemporary process, known as COPAC (Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution), started unfolding in 2009. The consultative outreach processes had just been completed when the survey went into the field. 4.1 Expectations of the emerging constitution – main trends Zimbabweans have little doubt that the existing constitution needs to be replaced, and that this has to happen fast. Whilst they are impatient to get to the next round of elections, they are adamant that the constitution needs to be enacted before a new election takes place. The main survey trends on a new, emerging constitution are: 38% of respondents want the current constitution to be replaced – and 28% want to see it amended. Only 4% think it meets the country’s needs as is [Q20]. There is impatience that the new constitution needs to be adopted. The message is: get on with the job! [Q26B]. Zimbabweans are tired of being consulted on constitutional matters [Q26C], with 52% agreeing with the statement to this effect. The IG is doing well in making the people think about constitutional matters [Q25], and the two main parties are rated approximately equally on how well they have explained their constitutional positions to the people [Q27A, Q27B]. 36