REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, HON. PRINCESS KASUNE, MP ON THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS 
MARCH, 2025
MADAM SPEAKER
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU MOST SINCERELY FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ISSUE A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
MADAM SPEAKER
YOU WILL RECALL THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA, MR. HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, DURING THE FOURTH SESSION OF THE THIRTEENTH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON 28TH FEBRUARY, 2025, PRESENTED TO THIS AUGUST HOUSE THE PROGRESS MADE IN THE APPLICATION OF THE NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES.
THE PRESIDENT HIGHLIGHTED A NUMBER OF MEASURES TAKEN BY GOVERNMENT IN UPHOLDING NATIONAL VALUES AND PRINCIPLES. AMONG THE KEY NOTABLE ISSUES WAS THE NEED TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION, PRIMARILY TO IMPROVE THE EQUITABLE OR FAIR DISTRIBUTION AND DELIVERY OF NATIONAL RESOURCES, ESPECIALLY THE CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF), THROUGH THE DELIMITATION AND SUBDIVISION OF OVERLY LARGE CONSTITUENCIES, BOTH BY LAND MASS OR GEOGRAPHIC SIZE AND POPULATION.
THIS ISSUE IS SO CRITICAL IN ADDRESSING THE ISSUE OF EQUALITY VERUS EQUITY. MADAM SPEAKER THESE TWO WORDS MEAN DIFEERENT THINGS AND THE CONCERN OF THIS GOVERNMENT IS THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF THE NATIONAL CAKE.
MADAM SPEAKER
THE NEW DAWN ADMINISTRATION, AS OUTLINED IN THE PARTY MANIFESTO, 2021-2026 REMAINS COMMITTED TO ESTABLISH A CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER THAT WILL CATALYSE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE COUNTRY.
GOVERNMENT IS FULLY AWARE OF THE NEED FOR A BROAD-BASED CONSENSUS AMONG ALL ZAMBIANS UPON WHICH THE CONSTITUTION REFORM AGENDA, WILL BE ANCHORED. HOWEVER, THIS APPROACH REQUIRES A WHOLESOME AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION, WHICH PROCESS, AS WE ALL KNOW IS COSTLY AND LENGTHY.
IN THIS REGARD, GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO DEAL WITH NON- CONTENTIOUS ISSUES ONLY SO AS TO ADDRESS THE LACUNAE OR GAPS IDENTIFIED IN THE CONSTITUTION.
THE IDENTIFIED NON-CONTENTIOUS ISSUES SHALL BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE, THIRTY DAYS BEFORE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE BILL FOR FIRST READING IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SO AS TO GARNER WIDE AND INCLUSIVE CONSENSUS BUILDING ON THESE ISSUES.
THIS APPROACH, MADAM SPEAKER, AS PROVIDED UNDER ARTICLE 79 OF THE CONSTITUTION IS NOT ONLY CONSULTATIVE, BUT ALSO COST EFFECTIVE.
MADAM SPEAKER
OVER THE YEARS, THIS COUNTRY HAS UNDERTAKEN VARIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW PROCESSES WHICH INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING:
- CHONA CONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMISSION 1973;
- MVUNGA CONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMISSION 1991;
- MWANAKATWE CONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMISSION 1996;
- MUNG’OMBA CONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMISSION 2005;
- ZALOUMIS LED ELECTORAL REFORM TECHNICAL COMMITTEE 2005;
- NATIONAL CONSTITUTIONAL CONFERENCE 2005; AND
- ANNEL SILUNGWE LED TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON DRAFTING OF THE CONSTITUTION, 2012 AMONG OTHERS.
- NATIONAL DIALOGUE FORUM ESTABLISHED BY THE NATIONAL DIALOGUE (CONSTITUTION, ELECTORAL PROCESS, PUBLIC ORDER AND POLITICAL PARTIES) ACT NO. 1 OF 2019.
MADAM SPEAKER
THESE CONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMISSIONS AND DIALOGUE FORUMS PRODUCED PROGRESSIVE REPORTS ON KEY ISSUES WHICH, AMONG OTHERS, INCLUDED:
- TO ENHANCE THE REPRESENTATION OF MARGINLIZED MEMBERS OF OUR SOCIETY PARTICULARLY THE WOMEN, THE YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITY IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY;
- DELIMITATION OF CONSTITUENCIES;
- THE INCLUSION OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN LOCAL AUTHORITIES;
- ELECTORAL PETITIONS;
- BY-ELECTIONS;
- ELECTION OF MAYORS;
- QUALIFICATIONS OF THE SECRETARY TO THE CABINET; AND
- THE APPOINTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND SOLICITOR- GENERAL.
MADAM SPEAKER
IN THIS REGARD, THE GOVERNMENT, IN THE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, WISHES TO HIGHLIGHT THE KEY NON- CONTENTIOUS ISSUES WHICH HAVE, OVER THE YEARS, BEEN RAISED AND ADVOCATED FOR REFINEMENT IN THE CONSTITUTION, BY VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS WHO INCLUDE AMONG OTHERS:
- POLITICAL PARTIES;
- CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS;
- RELIGIOUS MOTHER BODIES;
- JUDGMENTS OF OUR SUPERIOR COURTS;
- ACADEMIA;
- PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS;
- TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS;
- CONSTITUTIONAL EXPERTS;
- STUDENT BODIES;
- WOMEN ORGANISATIONS; AND THE YOUTH.
MADAME SPEAKER,
THE HOUSE MAY WISH TO BE ADVISED THAT, SINCE JULY 2024, THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA, EMBARKED UPON THE ELECTORAL REFORM TECHNICAL COMMITTEE WHO HAVE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING;
- THE ZAMBIA CENTRE FOR INTERPARTY DIALOGUE (ZCID), REPRESENTING ALL POLITICAL PARTIES;
- EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP OF ZAMBIA; ZAMBIA CONFEREENCE OF BISHOPS (ZCB);
- COUNCIL OF CHURCHES; INDEPENDENT CHURCHES OF ZAMBIA (ICOZ); ISLAMIC SUPREME COUNCIL;
- CHRISTIAN CHURCHES MONITORING GROUP (CCMG); ACADEMIA (UNZA, CBU0;
- HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION;
- GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS,
- EMMINENT PERSONS (REPRESENTED BY RABSON CHONGO),
- CENTER FOR YOUNG LEADERS IN AFRICA (CYLA),
- OPERATION YOUNG VOTE (OYV), ZAMBIA LAW DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.
THIS TECHNICAL COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL REFORMS WAS PUT IN PLACE TO COLLECT STAKEHOLDER VIEWS ON WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE ELECTORAL SYSTEM.
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION WILL MAKE ITS PUBLICATION ON THE VIEWS OBTAINED SUFFICE IT TO SAY THAT THE NEED TO REVIEW THE CONSTITITON WITH REGARDS TO PROVISIONS THAT HAVE A BEARING ON DELIMIATIONE HAS FEATURED PROMINENTLY.
THE STAKEHOLDERS CALLED FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION BECAUSE IT AFFECTED HOW ELECTIONS ARE BEING MANAGED IN THIS COUNTRY CITING ARTICLE 52 ON THE CANCELLATION OF ELECTIONS AS A RESULT OF A RESIGNATION OF A DULLY NOMINATED CANDIDATE.
ARTICLE 58 (5) ALSO NEEDED TO BE ACTUALIZED BECAUSE ARTICLE 68
(2) WHICH HAS PRESCRIBED THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO BE 156 PROHIBITS THE DELIMIATION PROCESS UNLESS THESE TWO PROVISIONS ARE HARMONIZED.
MADAM SPEAKER
ALLOW ME TO NOW OUTLINE THESE PROMINENT KEY ISSUES AS FOLLOWS:
1. DELIMITATION OF NEW CONSTITUENCIES AND WARDS BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA
MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, CHAPTER 1 OF THE LAWS OF ZAMBIA, PROVIDES FOR A FIXED NUMBER OF CONSTITUENCIES IN THE COUNTRY, WHICH TODAY, IS ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SIX (156).
THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA (ECZ) IS MANDATED, AT INTERVALS OF NOT MORE THAN TEN YEARS, TO REVIEW THE NAMES AND BOUNDARIES OF CONSTITUENCIES.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLES 58 AND 68 BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR ACTUALISATION OF DELIMITATION OF CONSTITUENCIES AND WARDS, TO BE DETERMINED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA.
THE IMPACT OF DELIMITATION, MADAM SPEAKER WILL PROVIDE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES (PARTICULARLY THE CDF) BASED ON POPULATION AND GEOGRAPHIC SIZE OR LAND MASS.
EQUITY VERSUS EQULITY, MADAM SPEAKER.
IMAGINE CONSTITUENCIES WHICH ARE THE SIZE OF SOME EUROPEAN COUNTRIES GETTING THE SAME AMOUNT AS A SMALL CONSTITUENCY.
THIS IS THE INJUSTICE, THE INEQUITY THAT THE GOVERNMENT AND THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.
2. THE NEED TO REVISE THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO FILING OF FRESH NOMINATIONS ON RESIGNATION OF A CANDIDATE IN AN ELECTION
MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 52(6), MANDATES ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA TO CANCEL AN ELECTION AND REQUIRE THE FILING OF FRESH NOMINATIONS, WHERE A CANDIDATE RESIGNS.
THE PROPOSAL IS TO AMEND THE ASPECT RELATING TO RESIGNATION OF A CANDIDATE, SO THAT THE REMAINING CANDIDATES PROCEED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTION, AS OPPOSED TO REQUIRING THE FILING OF FRESH NOMINATIONS.
THIS WOULD BE AN UNNECESSARY COST TO THE GOVERNMENT AND WOULD HAVE THE PROBABILITY TO DESTABILISE THE PEACE OF OUR COUNTRY.
3. INTRODUCTION OF AN ELECTORAL SYSTEM THAT ENHANCES REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN, YOUTH AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
MADAM SPEAKER
IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT THE CURRENT ELECTORAL SYSTEM DOES NOT PROVIDE GUARANTEED SEATS FOR WOMEN, YOUTHS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
THEREFORE, IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE CONSTITUTION UNDER ARTICLES 47(2) AND 68 BE AMENDED SO AS TO GUARANTEE THE REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN, YOUTHS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN PARLIAMENT.
4. RE-INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT IN COUNCILS
MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 153(2), DOES NOT INCLUDE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT AS BEING PART OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNCILS.
IT IS, THEREFORE, PROPOSED THAT ARTICLE 153(2) BE AMENDED IN ORDER TO INCLUDE THE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT ON THE LIST OF PEOPLE WHO CONSTITUTE A COUNCIL.
THIS SHALL ENSURE THAT MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, AS THE PEOPLES’ REPRESENTATIVES, ACTIVELY TAKE PART IN THE DEVELOPMENTAL ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN BY THE COUNCIL.
5. PROVIDE FOR THE HEARING AND DETERMINATION OF AN ELECTION PETITION
MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, IN ARTICLES 73(2), 101(5) AND 103(2), PROVIDES THAT A PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION PETITION AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION PETITION SHALL BE HEARD WITHIN NINETY DAYS AND FOURTEEN DAYS OF THE FILING OF THE PETITION, RESPECTIVELY.
THE PROPOSAL IS THAT THESE PROVISIONS BE AMENDED TO CLARIFY THAT THE PETITIONS SHALL NOT ONLY BE HEARD, BUT ALSO DETERMINED, WITHIN THE SPECIFIED TIMEFRAMES, AS PROVIDED IN THE CONSTITUTION.
THIS WILL AVERT THE UNFORTUNATE POSITION THE COUNTRY FOUND ITSLEF, IN 2016.
6. REVISE THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO BY-ELECTIONS MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 57(1), PROVIDES FOR A BY- ELECTION IN THE EVENT OF A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, MAYOR, COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON OR COUNCILLOR.
WE ARE ALL WELL AWARE HOW THE PEOPLE HAVE REPEATEDLY LAMENTED THAT THESE BY-ELECTIONS ARE A HUGE COST ON THE TREASURY, WHICH DERAIL AND DESTABILISE DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS.
THE HOUSE MAY WISH TO KNOW THAT, FROM 2021 TODATE, THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA HAS SPENT, ON BY-ELECTIONS AT CONSTITUENCY AND WARD LEVEL A TOTAL OF TWO HUNDRED SIXTY- FOUR MILLION, ONE HUNDRED FORTY-FIVE THOUSAND, THREE HUNDRED AND NINE KWACHA (K264,145,309.00).
THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COLOSSAL AMOUNTS WHICH CANDIDATES AND THOSE SUPPORTING THE PROCESS, HAVE TO SPEND DURING THE CAMPAIGNS. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT A CANDIDATE WILL SPEND ABOUT THREE POINT NINE MILLION KWACHA OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S RESOURCES.
MADAM SPEAKER, BY-ELECTIONS DISRUPT BUSINESSES AND DEVELOPMENT BY DIVERTING PEOPLES ATTENTION AND RESOURCES.
THIS IS MONEY WHICH COULD HAVE BUILT SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AND BRIDGES, THEREFORE ENABLING ALL OF US DELIVER FOR OUR PEOPLE.
IT IS, THEREFORE PROPOSED THAT ARTICLE 57 BE AMENDED SO AS TO DISPENSE WITH BY-ELECTIONS WHERE A VACANCY IN THESE OFFICES IS OCCASIONED BY A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT UNDER A POLITICAL PARTY.
7. INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF NOMINATED MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 68(2)(B), PROVIDES THAT THERE SHALL BE NOT MORE THAN 8 NOMINATED MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLE 68(2)(B) BE AMENDED SO AS TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF NOMINATED MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO A NUMBER THAT WOULD BE PROVIDED FOR IN AN ACT OF PARLIAMENT.
8. HARMONIZATION OF THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 81, PROVIDES THAT THE TERM OF PARLIAMENT SHALL BE FIVE YEARS, STARTING FROM THE DATE THAT THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT ARE SWORN INTO OFFICE, AFTER A GENERAL ELECTION AND ENDING ON THE DATE THAT PARLIAMENT IS DISSOLVED.
THIS IS A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS AND SOME MONTHS. YOU WILL ALSO NOTE THAT ARTICLE 266 HAS A SIMILAR DEFINITION FOR THE WORD “TERM”.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLES 81 AND 266 BE AMENDED IN ORDER TO ACTUALISE THE TERM OF OFFICE TO A PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS.
9. VACANCY OF MINISTER’S OFFICE NINETY DAYS BEFORE
ELECTIONS MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 116(3), PROVIDES FOR VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLES 116 BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THAT THE OFFICE OF THE MINISTER BECOMES VACANT, NINETY DAYS BEFORE THE HOLDING OF THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTIONS.
THIS SHALL AVOID THE ILLEGAL STAY OF MINISTERS IN OFFICE AND USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES FOR CAMPAIGN PURPOSES.
THIS IS IN LINE WITH THE DECISION OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT JUDGEMENT, AS STATED IN THE CASE OF STEPHEN KATUKA (SUING AS SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT) AND THE LAW ASSOCIATION OF ZAMBIA VS THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL, NGOSA SIMBYAKULA AND 62 OTHERS.
10. REMOVE THE TERM LIMIT FOR THE OFFICE OF MAYOR MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 154(2)(B), PROVIDES THAT A MAYOR AND COUNCIL CHAIRPERSON SHALL HOLD OFFICE FOR TWO TERMS. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO THE OFFICE OF COUNCILLOR AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLE 154(2)(B) BE AMENDED SO AS TO REMOVE THE TWO-TERM LIMIT FOR THE OFFICE OF MAYOR TO REMOVE THE DISCRIMINATORY CONNOTATION AND ENSURE CONSISTENCY IN THE TENURE OF CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES.
11. REVISION OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF THE OFFICE OF SECRETARY TO THE CABINET
MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 176(3), LIMITS THE QUALIFICATIONS AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE APPOINTED TO THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE CABINET, TO TEN YEARS’ EXPERIENCE AS A PERMANENT SECRETARY OR EQUIVALENT RANK.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLE 176(3) BE AMENDED SO AS TO REVISE THE QUALIFICATION OF THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE CABINET TO FIVE YEARS, IN ORDER TO EXPAND THE POOL OF SUITABLY QUALIFIED POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR THE POSITION.
12. REVISION OF THE PROVISIONS RELATING TO A VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND SOLICITOR- GENERAL
MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLES 178(1)(B) AND 179(4)(B), PROVIDES THAT THE OFFICES OF THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND SOLICITOR- GENERAL BECOME VACANT WHEN ANOTHER PERSON ASSUMES THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT.
IT HAS BEEN NOTED THAT THIS CREATES A VACUUM WHENEVER A NEW PRESIDENT ASSUMES OFFICE, WHICH GRIND THE OPERATIONS OF THE OFFICES.
IT IS PROPOSED THAT ARTICLES 178(1)(B) AND 179(4)(B) BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND SOLICITOR-GENERAL TO CONTINUE HOLDING OFFICE UNTIL THE FORMAL APPOINTMENT OF NEW OFFICE BEARERS.
13. REVISION OF THE DEFINITIONS OF “CHILD” AND “ADULT”
MADAM SPEAKER
THE CONSTITUTION, UNDER ARTICLE 266, PROVIDES FOR THE DEFINITION OF THE WORDS “CHILD” AS A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN YEARS, AND “ADULT” AS A PERSON WHO HAS ATTAINED, OR IS ABOVE THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN YEARS.
IT HAS BEEN OBSERVED THAT ARTICLE 266 LACKS CLARITY BECAUSE IT DEEMS A CHILD AS ANY PERSON WHO HAS ATTAINED THE AGE OF EIGHTEEN YEARS. IT IS PROPOSED THAT THE WORDS “CHILD” BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE FOR CLARITY.
MADAM SPEAKER
IN LIGHT OF THE ABOVE, I WISH TO PRESENT TO THIS AUGUST HOUSE A PROPOSED ROADMAP FOR THE ENACTMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION, WITH APPROPRIATE TIMELINES, AS FOLLOWS:
ROADMAP FOR THE ENACTMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025
| TASK | TIME PERIOD |
| THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF JUSTICE TO UPDATE PARLIAMENT ON THE ROADMAP AND THE CONTENT OF THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 | 26TH MARCH, 2025 |
| RECEIPT OF THE ELECTORAL REFORM TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPORT FROM THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION OF ZAMBIA BY THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE, RELATING TO – THE DELIMITATION OF CONSTITUENCIES;BY-ELECTIONS; AND ELECTORAL SYSTEM FOR ENHANCEMENT OF PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN, YOUTHS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITY | 22ND APRIL, 2025 |
| THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE TO COMMENCE THE DRAFTING OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 | 23RD APRIL, 2025 TO 20TH MAY, 2025 |
| PUBLICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025, IN THE GAZETTE FOR 30 DAYS, FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 79 OF THE CONSTITUTION, CAP. 1. | 21ST MAY, 2025 TO 21ST JUNE, 2025 (30 DAYS) |
| INTRODUCTION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025, IN PARLIAMENT | 24TH JUNE, 2025 |
| A SELECT COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT SHALL EXAMINE THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 | 26TH JUNE, 2025 TO 15TH JULY, 2025 |
| A SELECT COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT TO REPORT BACK TO THE HOUSE | 17TH JULY, 2025 |
| SECOND READING OF THE BILL | 22ND JULY, 2025 |
| THIRD READING OF THE BILL | 25TH JULY, 2025 |
MADAM SPEAKER
WE ARE ALL AWARE THAT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE 79 OF THE CONSTITUTION CAP. I, THE SECOND AND THIRD READINGS REQUIRE THE CONSTITUTION OF ZAMBIA (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2025 TO BE SUPPORTED BY THE VOTES OF NOT LESS THAN TWO-THIRDS OF ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY.
THIS, MADAM SPEAKER, IS A SAFEGUARD THAT OUR CONSTITUTION PROVIDES TO ENSURE THAT THE SOVEREIGN WILL OF THE PEOPLE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA IS EXERCISED BY THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, FOR PEOPLE OF OUR GREAT REPUBLIC.
MADAM SPEAKER
I WISH TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR, FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, THAT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO INTENTION, WHATSOVER, TO INCREASE THE TENURE OF OFFICE FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
ALLOW ME TO REPEAT, MADAME SPEAKER: I WISH TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR, FOR THE AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT, THAT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO INTENTION, WHATSOVER, TO INCREASE THE TENURE OF OFFICE FOR THE PRESIDENCY.
FURTHER, THE 50+1 VOTING SYSTEM IS ALSO NOT AFFECTED.
MADAME SPEAKER,
I WISH TO URGE THIS AUGUST HOUSE TO TAKE THIS RARE OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT THESE IDENTIFIED NON-CONTENTIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES ARE SUPPORTED.
LET US COLLECTIVELY ADDRESS THE GENERAL CONCERNS OF THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE.
THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY ADVOCATED BY A CROSS SECTION OF OUR PEOPLE, IN THE VARIOUS CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW REPORTS, AS OUTLINED EARLIER.
LET US PUT THESE ISSUES INTO EFFECT, ONCE AND FOR ALL, BY GIVING OUR PEOPLE THESE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO OUR CONSTITUTION. MADAM SPEAKER
I THANK YOU AND I BEG TO MOVE.
