By Patson Chilemba
Justice minister Mulambo Haimbe says the happenings in Kabushi where an independent candidate Alfred Yombwe has withdrawn from the race justifies the urgent need to address the constitution.
Speaking with Daily Revelation following the decision by independent candidate Yombwe to withdraw from the race, Haimbe said people misunderstand when one tries to offer guidance especially on active issues like the one in question, and therefore the administration will let the Electoral Commission Zambia take a lead in giving a position, if any.
“This is what we have been saying all along, why we need to amend the constitution. I have said it more than 10 times to look this provision in particular and any other provisions which are problematic, they need to be addressed. We can’t keep on like this as a country, going back and forth. There is need for holistic review of the constitution,” he said.
Haimbe said arrangements were already being made in addressing some of these issues, saying there is a lot of work going on in the background, with engagements and setting the ground for over a year.
“We have had stakeholders going back, so soon a roadmap will be issued. We just don’t rush this type of work,” Haimbe said, asked if he was referring to amendments or redoing the whole constitution, he said that was not for him to say as once the technocrats and stakeholders agree on the road map, a way will be decided.
“I can say from the perspective of ourselves as the executive arm of government I think I am on record again as repeatedly saying that the mode, we are looking at is potentially you deal with the non-contentious issues first like this provision and other provisions of the law where everybody is agreed that look we need to change this for the sake of the people,” said Haimbe. “For the sake of our progression, our posterity, and any contentious issues remaining will then be looked at separately and then finally have a referendum. But us as government who are looking at going that route as you know if we do things on our own without stakeholders buying in the engagement then we lose the process. So that’s what is currently going on now, we are all engaging and trying to decide the best way forward. Believe me once we agree that okay this is how we are proceeding it will be quite quick.”
Independent candidate Yombwe today announced his withdraw from the race. A similar situation in Kabwata earlier this year forced a fresh filing of nominations, although others have argued that interpretations defer.
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