The Editor Zambia
Following the press briefing by the Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa, where he confirmed that Bill No. 7 will be presented to Parliament in its original form, and a lot of misinformation and lies are being spread – of course, by no one but the Patriotic Front (PF).
Former Information Minister and Broadcasting Minister Chishimba Kambwili was the first to parade his ignorance before the cameras this morning. 
It is worrying that a former cabinet minister can not read a simple document.
Zambians, especially politicians, need to change the culture of not reading or understanding the subject before commenting.
We are also aware that some opposition political parties ride on and take advantage of this fact to misinform and sway the public from truths and realities.
A video has gone viral where EFF president Kasonde Mwenda failed to point out the constitutional amendment article giving the executive power to grab seats at will.
Live on TV, Kasonde was embarrassed and failed to substantiate his allegations.
If it was in primary school back in the days, he would’ve been pushed to group four, where those waiting for repeating grades would be camped.
The Bill returned to Parliament is the exact same version that was previously deferred. This is because the law prevents a complete new constitutional amendment bill from being introduced during the same parliamentary session.
Standing Orders 2024 article 121 Deferring or Withdrawing a Bill sub article 1 is very clear, and we quote:
(1) A member who sponsors a Bill may defer or withdraw the Bill at
any time by formally writing to the speaker, stating his or her decision.
Minister of Justice, Princess Kasune, deferred Bill 7 of 2025 to allow for more extensive public consultation. This was to ensure public views were considered before the bill was potentially reintroduced to Parliament.
In October 2025, President Hakainde Hichilema appointed a 25-member Technical Committee tasked with consulting citizens nationwide and drafting amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia.
The appointment, made under Articles 92(1), 92(2)(f), and 92(2)(i) of the Constitution, represents the government’s response to widespread calls for a more inclusive, people-driven approach to constitutional change.
The Technical Committee comprised of an impressive array of legal minds, civil society leaders, traditional authorities, and faith-based representatives, signalling a genuinely inclusive approach to constitutional reform.
On December 1, 2025, the Technical Committee handed over its report to President Hichilema, in which over 11,800 submissions were made using various platforms in just two months.
Now, here is why the government has presented Bill 7 in the current form.
The law or parliamentary standing orders prevent a completely new constitutional amendment bill with the same substance from being introduced during the same parliamentary session.
Standing Orders 2024 Srticle 124. Same Bill not to be Presented Twice in Same Session.
When a Bill has been passed or rejected, a Bill of SUBSTANTIALLY the SAME
SUBSTANCE shall not be introduced again during the same Session.
Here is why the Oasis Forum, a PF wing, wanted the Bill withdrawn from the floor of the house. They wanted to take advantage of the SO 122 sub article 3
Standing Orders 2024 article 122. Effect of Deferment or Withdrawal
sub articles 1, 2, and 3 are very clear, and we quote:
(1) A Bill that has been deferred for a period exceeding SIX MONTHS is deemed withdrawn by the Member sponsoring the Bill.
(2) A Bill that is withdrawn shall not be presented to the House again in
the same Session.
(3) A Bill, which is SUBSTANTIALLY the SAME as a Bill that has been withdrawn
shall not be presented to the House again in the same Session.
How will the input from the public going to be incorporated in the current Bill 7. Opposition political parties are saying the technical committee was used. NO far from it. This well taken care of
Standing Orders 2024 article 119. Amendment to Bills
(1) A Member has a right to move an amendment to a Bill at Committee
Stage or Report Stage.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), a notice of amendment to a Bill may be
submitted at any time after the Bill is read the first time.
(3) A Member who wishes to propose an amendment to a Bill shall
submit the proposed amendment, fairly written and signed by him or
her, to the Clerk’s office at least twenty-four hours before the date on
which the Bill is to appear on the Order Paper for Committee Stage or
Report Stage.
The argument that the Bill is unlawfully before parliament do not hold water and are just meant to hoodwink members of the public.
The debate that input of the public has been discarded is neither here nor there. This government has shown transparency, inclusiveness and dialogue in the constitutional amendment process.
The Bill 7 Select Committee has been put in place. This committee will ensure members of the public are given another opportunity to make submission.
The Oasis forum and other stakeholders such as the NGOCC, PF, and the LAZ will be given an opportunity to appear before this committee to make submission.
Don’t boycott. Just go and make submissions.
