By Angela Moonga
The OASIS Forum has urged Zambians to remain vigilant and pay close attention to how the government will implement the law arising from Bill 7, including sequencing, delimitation, subsidiary legislation and the exercise of increases nomination powers.
In a statement yesterday, OASIS Forum acting chairperson and Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) president Lungisani Zulu contended that the law disregarded binding Constitutional Court authority, and failed to meet the standard of conceived and processed through procedures that violated constitutional requirements, and meaningful public participation.
”Unlawful process cannot yield a lawful statute, and no amount of political packaging or numerical advantage in Parliament can cure foundational
illegality,” Zulu stated. “Additionally, the expansion of Parliament without transparent delimitation coupled with the increased number of MPs entrenches control instead of accountability, mark a retreat from constitutionalism, and weaken Parliament’s role as a guardian of democracy.”
They stated so following President Hakainde Hichilema’s assen into law of constitution amendment Bill 7
”We therefore strongly urge citizens to remain vigilant and to pay close attention to how Government implements the law arising from Bill 7—including sequencing, delimitation, subsidiary legislation, and the exercise of increased nomination powers,” Zulu stated. “Abuses of power often occur not only in the passage of laws but even more acutely in their operationalisation. The Oasis Forum reaffirms its unwavering commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of
law, and good governance—principles essential to Zambia’s democratic future and the welfare of its citizens.”
