Chief Government Spokesperson and Information Minister Cornelius Mweetwa has announced that Cabinet has approved the return of Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 to Parliament. The move is aimed at ensuring Zambia enters the 2026 General Election with a predictable and stable constitutional framework.
Mr. Mweetwa explained that under current provisions, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) could be forced to restart nominations if a presidential candidate were to withdraw close to election day—a scenario he warned could undermine peace, security, and the credibility of the electoral process.
Speaking at a press briefing, Mr. Mweetwa emphasized that Government is acting transparently to avert instability. He noted that the bill also seeks to refine provisions related to presidential election petitions, which previously caused legal uncertainty, particularly during the 2016 elections.
He stressed that Bill No. 7 contains non-controversial amendments agreed upon by both ruling and opposition Members of Parliament during a 2023 consultative meeting. Importantly, he clarified that the bill does not increase presidential powers or alter term limits, dismissing claims that Government intends to tamper with the Constitution.
