By Joy Nyambe
The technical committee on drafting amendments to the Constitution has handed over its report and draft bill to President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA.
Committee Vice Chairperson LANDILANI BANDA presented the report at State House on behalf of Committee Chairperson, retired Justice CHRISTOPHER MUSHABATI.
President HICHILEMA commended the committee for the significant work carried out on behalf of the people of Zambia, noting that the team delivered its assignment despite numerous challenges.
He said no previous constitutional review commission compares to the 2025 one, which received 11,860 submissions in a record two-month period.
The President added that due processes will now proceed promptly.
And Dr. BANDA said the committee carried out its mandate independently and without interference.
He thanked the people of Zambia for their commitment to the Constitution-making process.
MEANWHILE, President HICHILEMA repeated his call for dialogue in addressing national challenges, saying it encourages knowledge-sharing, skills enhancement and constructive engagement.
He said he is pleased with the discussions taking place around the Constitution amendment process.
According to the President, the goal is not always to win but to help the country reach common ground.
He added that the maturity of a society is measured not by the number of conflicts but by how often those conflicts are settled peacefully.
The President said this at State House yesterday during a meeting with stakeholders involved in the amendment process.
And the Civil Society Alliance on Legal Reforms opposed the Oasis Forum’s call to withdraw Bill 7 from Parliament.
Alliance Chairperson CAROLINE KATOTOBWE presented a counter-proposal recommending that Bill 7 be maintained, saying discontinuing it would be undemocratic and disregard the recent submissions made to the technical committee.
And Consortium of Civil Society Organisations Vice Chairperson, SOLOMON NGOMA, said there is nothing irregular about the ongoing Constitution amendment process.
He expressed hope that Bill 7 will be tabled before Parliament in the form presented by the technical committee.
Care for Nature Executive Director, NSAMA KEARNS, said the country must not disregard the views of citizens who participated in the process.
She added that the Constitution should support wider inclusion of women in political spaces.
Representing former Members of Parliament, EPHRAIM BELEMU said President HICHILEMA should be allowed to complete the Constitution process on behalf of Zambians.
He said the country must not allow disorder to prevail by halting the amendments, and urged Parliament to vote in favour of Bill 7, which contains several progressive provisions including the delimitation of constituencies.
Students from various higher learning institutions have also backed the Constitution amendment process and praised President HICHILEMA for engaging stakeholders to produce a Constitution that will endure.
UNZASU President KABASO MWANTO said young people have given President HICHILEMA approval to proceed with taking the Bill to Parliament.
The institutions represented include the University of Zambia, Copperbelt University, the National Institute of Public Administration -NIPA, Levy Mwanawasa Medical University, Chalimbana University and Palabana University.
