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Zimbabwe overwhelmingly OKs new charter

President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe addresses the 64th General Assembly at the United Nations on September 25, 2009 in New York City. UPI /Monika Graff
1 of 2 | President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe addresses the 64th General Assembly at the United Nations on September 25, 2009 in New York City. UPI /Monika Graff | License Photo

HARARE, Zimbabwe, March 19 (UPI) -- Nearly 95 percent of voters in Zimbabwe have approved the country's new constitution that limits the president's power, election officials say.

Both main political parties, including that of President Robert Mugabe, had called for approval of the draft document, Voice of America reported Tuesday.

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Mugabe, 89, has been in power since 1980 and will be allowed to seek another term in July's elections.

The new charter sets a limit of two five-years terms for the president. It also increases rights for women and bans the death penalty for women, the young and elderly.

More than 3 million Zimbabweans voted for the constitution, while 179,000 voted against.

A power-sharing agreement between Mugabe and Morgan Tsvangirai, now the prime minister, reached in 2008 required the drafting of a new constitution.

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