Zimbabwe sets March 16 vote date

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — 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 the year to end the nation’s shaky coalition government.

State radio reported Thursday that Eric Matinenga, an aide of former opposition leader Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, said President Robert Mugabe is expected to officially proclaim the date in a government notice on Friday. Voting is scheduled for one day, a departure from the routine two days of polling, state radio said.