The UPND administration on Wednesday announced changes they wish to amend in the Republican Constitution.
Delivering a ministerial statement, Justice minister Princess Kasune said the reform agenda sought to address systemic imbalances in resource allocation, political and electoral processes.
Among the proposed amendments, includes guaranteeing women and youth and differently abled citizens a voice in Parliament, and cutting wasteful by-election costs, which amounted to K264 million since 2021.
She further said there was need to amend Article 58 and 68 to redraw boundaries for equitable CDF distribution by size and population.
She also said Article 52(6) needed amending to proceed with elections if a candidate resigned, and in the process avoid fresh nominations.
Kasune said Article 81 and 266 must be amended in order to actualize the terms of office to a period of five years.
There were many other amendments Kasune addressed. However, there is one particular one she addressed, where she talked about amending Article 68(2)(B) that provides that there shall be not more than 8 nominated members of parliament. The government is attempting to mutilate that clause so as to increase the number to a number that would be provided by an Act of Parliament.
This particular clause has raised public anger, with many stakeholders, including President Hakainde Hichilema’s supporter Laura Miti, denouncing the move as being the main motivation behind the whole amendment process.
Luara warned that if the administration passed the amendment, Hichilema and the ruling party would become untouchable, as they will give themselves a limitless number of MPs that can be increased at any time, by a simple majority rule.
This clause, it is argued, would give Hichilema a two thirds majority to have enough MPs to change the constitution at will, including increasing the presidential term limit, or even removing it entirely.
We can assure you that this clause, and other clauses inimical to the democratic dispensation of this country will be enacted, if there won’t be proper vigilance and public outcry from the Zambian people. Do not wait there thinking the members of parliament will look out for your interests. You won’t find many out there that will seek out your interests, as many could have already been bought over to pass some of these irresponsible clauses.
While it is guaranteed that almost all the ruling party members of parliament would go along to support the passage of the amendments, you can be rest assured that they will be joined by a lot of opposition members of parliament. Of course, several opposition members will vote against, but there is no guarantee that they will have enough to stop the passage, once the bill finds its way to Parliament.
No one can surely come up with a bill seeking to have limitless members of parliament, and claim that they are serving the interests of the country. If anything, anyone who attempts to do that is being an enemy of the country.
There is an argument that Hichilema wants to secure a parliamentary majority through nominated members of parliament in the event he lost a significant chunk of his members of parliament in the 2026 general elections.
We urge those in government to stop such undemocratic machinations by not just withdrawing that clause, but the entire amendment until after the 2026 general elections. Even then, they will need to establish the necessary consensus needed for an undertaking as sacred and contentious as constitution making.
By Daily Revelation Editor
The UPND administration on Wednesday announced changes they wish to amend in the Republican Constitution.
Delivering a ministerial statement, Justice minister Princess Kasune said the reform agenda sought to address systemic imbalances in resource allocation, political and electoral processes.
Among the proposed amendments, includes guaranteeing women and youth and differently abled citizens a voice in Parliament, and cutting wasteful by-election costs, which amounted to K264 million since 2021.
She further said there was need to amend Article 58 and 68 to redraw boundaries for equitable CDF distribution by size and population.
She also said Article 52(6) needed amending to proceed with elections if a candidate resigned, and in the process avoid fresh nominations.
Kasune said Article 81 and 266 must be amended in order to actualize the terms of office to a period of five years.
There were many other amendments Kasune addressed. However, there is one particular one she addressed, where she talked about amending Article 68(2)(B) that provides that there shall be not more than 8 nominated members of parliament. The government is attempting to mutilate that clause so as to increase the number to a number that would be provided by an Act of Parliament.
This particular clause has raised public anger, with many stakeholders, including President Hakainde Hichilema’s supporter Laura Miti, denouncing the move as being the main motivation behind the whole amendment process.
Luara warned that if the administration passed the amendment, Hichilema and the ruling party would become untouchable, as they will give themselves a limitless number of MPs that can be increased at any time, by a simple majority rule.
This clause, it is argued, would give Hichilema a two thirds majority to have enough MPs to change the constitution at will, including increasing the presidential term limit, or even removing it entirely.
We can assure you that this clause, and other clauses inimical to the democratic dispensation of this country will be enacted, if there won’t be proper vigilance and public outcry from the Zambian people. Do not wait there thinking the members of parliament will look out for your interests. You won’t find many out there that will seek out your interests, as many could have already been bought over to pass some of these irresponsible clauses.
While it is guaranteed that almost all the ruling party members of parliament would go along to support the passage of the amendments, you can be rest assured that they will be joined by a lot of opposition members of parliament. Of course, several opposition members will vote against, but there is no guarantee that they will have enough to stop the passage, once the bill finds its way to Parliament.
No one can surely come up with a bill seeking to have limitless members of parliament, and claim that they are serving the interests of the country. If anything, anyone who attempts to do that is being an enemy of the country.
There is an argument that Hichilema wants to secure a parliamentary majority through nominated members of parliament in the event he lost a significant chunk of his members of parliament in the 2026 general elections.
We urge those in government to stop such undemocratic machinations by not just withdrawing that clause, but the entire amendment until after the 2026 general elections. Even then, they will need to establish the necessary consensus needed for an undertaking as sacred and contentious as constitution making.
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