Copac co-chairman Douglas Mwonzora told reporters in Harare that the consultation process had been marred by violence in which several people were injured and at least one was thought to have been murdered.

Last month, the consultation process was halted in Harare and other urban centres after violence erupted between supporters of President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change.

In previous elections, opposition parties were critical of the country's constitution, saying that it favoured the sitting president.

Mugabe, 86, and Tsvangirai, 58, have both told their supporters to gear up for elections next year.

The term of office of their shaky unity government, which has been dogged by sharp differences between the two leaders, is due to expire next February.

Mwonzora said the police would be called in to keep the peace during the outstanding consultations on a new constitution, which were expected to be completed in the next 10 days.

After that, the information gathered would be collated and incorporated into a draft constitution that would be decided on through a referendum.

So far about a million people had taken part in the consultative process. Zimbabwe has a population of about 12million.

Among the contentious issues being considered were limits on terms of office for future presidents, gay rights, inheritance laws and citizenship.

By The Times (SA)