JOHANNESBURG — Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said Thursday a referendum on a new constitution could be held in May or June 2011, which would clear the way to fresh elections.

"We are anticipating that a referendum might be conducted between May and June next year," he said on the sidelines of a conference on Zimbabwe's future, organised by The Economist magazine.

The power-sharing deal that created the unity government between Tsvangirai and veteran President Robert Mugabe called for holding a referendum by July 2010, followed by new elections.

Tsvangirai said he and Mugabe have not yet agreed on the exact date for the referendum.

"We agreed on the process, but the date has not been agreed yet," he said.

The government has been holding public consultations on what the new charter should contain.

"The next stage will be to combine people's input with the hope that the first draft will be presented to all stakeholders at a meeting before the end of the year or at the beginning of next year," he told AFP.

"After then, a committee of experts will draw the constitutional principals, it will then go to parliament, to a referendum and back to parliament," he said.

Analysts have voiced concern that Zimbabwe still isn't ready for new elections, with the voter's roll in shambles and the risk of political violence still high due to lingering tensions from the bloody 2008 polls.

But Tsvangirai said Mugabe "is commited to the transition."

"He is committed to have a peaceful election that would restore his legacy as the founding father of the nation, as the liberator rather than the villain that he has been constantly associated with."

At least 180 people were killed during the presidential race two years ago, when Tsvangirai's party won control of parliament.

Tsvangirai pulled out of the presidential run-off, citing widespread attacks against his supporters. The two rivals formed a unity government under intense regional pressure, but continue to spar over top posts.

By AFP