Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, 2025: Difference between revisions
Chalochatu (talk | contribs) Created page with "{{Infobox legislation | short_title = Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, 2025 | legislature = National Assembly of Zambia | long_title = A Bill to amend the Constitution of Zambia; and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing. | bill_citation = Bill No. 7 of 2025 | introduced_by = Ministry of Justice | date_introduced = May 2025 | status = Under consideration }} '''Bill No. 7 of 2025''', officially titled the '''Constitution of Zambia (..." |
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| long_title = A Bill to amend the Constitution of Zambia; and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing. | | long_title = A Bill to amend the Constitution of Zambia; and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing. | ||
| bill_citation = Bill No. 7 of 2025 | | bill_citation = Bill No. 7 of 2025 | ||
| introduced_by = Ministry of Justice | | introduced_by = [[Ministry of Justice]] | ||
| date_introduced = May 2025 | | date_introduced = May 2025 | ||
| status = Under consideration | | status = Under consideration | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Bill No. 7 of 2025''', officially titled the '''Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, 2025''', is a proposed amendment to the Constitution of Zambia. It was introduced in the National Assembly in May 2025. The bill seeks to amend several provisions of the Constitution, including changes to the electoral system, the composition of the National Assembly | '''Bill No. 7 of 2025''', officially titled the '''Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, 2025''', is a proposed amendment to the [[Constitution of Zambia]]. It was introduced in the [[National Assembly]] in May 2025. The bill seeks to amend several provisions of the Constitution, including changes to the electoral system, the composition of the National Assembly and the structure of local government. | ||
== Key Provisions == | == Key Provisions == | ||
=== Increase in Parliamentary Seats === | === Increase in Parliamentary Seats === | ||
The bill proposes an increase in the number of elected Members of Parliament from 156 to 211, in line with recommendations from the Electoral Commission of Zambia's latest delimitation report.<ref name="zamlii">{{cite web|title=Bill Summary: The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025|url=https://zambialii.org/articles/2025-05-23/Maria/bill-summary-the-constitution-of-zambia-amendment-bill-no-7-of-2025|publisher=Zambia Legal Information Institute|access-date=4 June 2025}}</ref> | The bill proposes an increase in the number of elected [[Members of Parliament]] from 156 to 211, in line with recommendations from the [[Electoral Commission of Zambia]]'s latest delimitation report.<ref name="zamlii">{{cite web|title=Bill Summary: The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025|url=https://zambialii.org/articles/2025-05-23/Maria/bill-summary-the-constitution-of-zambia-amendment-bill-no-7-of-2025|publisher=Zambia Legal Information Institute|access-date=4 June 2025}}</ref> | ||
=== Electoral System Reform === | === Electoral System Reform === | ||
It introduces a mixed-member electoral system combining first-past-the-post and proportional representation. The proportional component is intended to enhance the inclusion of women, youth | It introduces a mixed-member electoral system combining first-past-the-post and proportional representation. The proportional component is intended to enhance the inclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities in Parliament.<ref name="zamlii" /> | ||
=== Changes to Electoral Procedures === | === Changes to Electoral Procedures === | ||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
=== Civil Society Concerns === | === Civil Society Concerns === | ||
Several civil society organisations and legal experts have raised concerns about the bill's implications for democracy. Lawyer Linda Kasonde described the bill as “frightening,” citing changes that could allow the disqualification of candidates on broad grounds, particularly through amendments to Article 52.<ref name="diggerbill7">{{cite news|title=UPND’s Bill 7 more frightening than Bill 10 – Linda|url=https://diggers.news/local/2025/05/27/upnds-bill-7-more-frightening-than-bill-10-linda/|work=News Diggers|date=27 May 2025|access-date=4 June 2025}}</ref> | Several civil society organisations and legal experts have raised concerns about the bill's implications for democracy. Lawyer [[Linda Kasonde]] described the bill as “frightening,” citing changes that could allow the disqualification of candidates on broad grounds, particularly through amendments to [[Article 52]].<ref name="diggerbill7">{{cite news|title=UPND’s Bill 7 more frightening than Bill 10 – Linda|url=https://diggers.news/local/2025/05/27/upnds-bill-7-more-frightening-than-bill-10-linda/|work=News Diggers|date=27 May 2025|access-date=4 June 2025}}</ref> | ||
=== Transparency International Zambia === | === Transparency International Zambia === | ||
Maurice Nyambe, Executive Director of Transparency International Zambia, warned that the bill could be used to manipulate parliamentary representation, and called for broader consensus before passing constitutional amendments.<ref name="tizbill7">{{cite news|title=Stop Bill 7, CSOs, lawyers demand: ‘If it passes, your vote won’t matter in 2026’|url=https://diggers.news/local/2025/05/31/stop-bill-7-csos-lawyers-demand-if-it-passes-your-vote-wont-matter-in-2026/|work=News Diggers|date=31 May 2025|access-date=4 June 2025}}</ref> | Maurice Nyambe, Executive Director of [[Transparency International Zambia]], warned that the bill could be used to manipulate parliamentary representation, and called for broader consensus before passing constitutional amendments.<ref name="tizbill7">{{cite news|title=Stop Bill 7, CSOs, lawyers demand: ‘If it passes, your vote won’t matter in 2026’|url=https://diggers.news/local/2025/05/31/stop-bill-7-csos-lawyers-demand-if-it-passes-your-vote-wont-matter-in-2026/|work=News Diggers|date=31 May 2025|access-date=4 June 2025}}</ref> | ||
=== Broader Political Implications === | === Broader Political Implications === | ||
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* [[Constitution of Zambia]] | * [[Constitution of Zambia]] | ||
* [[National Assembly of Zambia]] | * [[National Assembly of Zambia]] | ||
* [[Bill 10 | * [[Bill 10]] | ||
[[Category:Politics of Zambia]] | [[Category:Politics of Zambia]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Laws of Zambia]] | ||
[[Category:2025 in Zambia]] | [[Category:2025 in Zambia]] | ||
[[Category:Zambian legislation]] | [[Category:Zambian legislation]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Constitution of Zambia]] | ||
Latest revision as of 08:15, 4 June 2025
| Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, 2025 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Bill citation | Bill No. 7 of 2025 |
| Introduced by | Ministry of Justice |
| Status: Unknown | |
Bill No. 7 of 2025, officially titled the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill, 2025, is a proposed amendment to the Constitution of Zambia. It was introduced in the National Assembly in May 2025. The bill seeks to amend several provisions of the Constitution, including changes to the electoral system, the composition of the National Assembly and the structure of local government.
Key Provisions
Increase in Parliamentary Seats
The bill proposes an increase in the number of elected Members of Parliament from 156 to 211, in line with recommendations from the Electoral Commission of Zambia's latest delimitation report.[1]
Electoral System Reform
It introduces a mixed-member electoral system combining first-past-the-post and proportional representation. The proportional component is intended to enhance the inclusion of women, youth and persons with disabilities in Parliament.[1]
Changes to Electoral Procedures
The bill includes changes to the nomination, disqualification, and resignation of candidates. Notably, it prohibits by-elections within 180 days before a general election.[1]
Local Government Adjustments
The bill proposes the removal of the two-term limit for mayors and council chairpersons and revises the composition of local councils to include sitting Members of Parliament.[1]
Ministerial Vacancies and Cabinet Appointments
Ministers and provincial ministers would be required to vacate their positions 90 days before a general election. The bill also redefines qualifications for the position of Secretary to the Cabinet.[1]
Public Response
Civil Society Concerns
Several civil society organisations and legal experts have raised concerns about the bill's implications for democracy. Lawyer Linda Kasonde described the bill as “frightening,” citing changes that could allow the disqualification of candidates on broad grounds, particularly through amendments to Article 52.[2]
Transparency International Zambia
Maurice Nyambe, Executive Director of Transparency International Zambia, warned that the bill could be used to manipulate parliamentary representation, and called for broader consensus before passing constitutional amendments.[3]
Broader Political Implications
Political analysts argue that the proportional representation mechanism might favour the ruling party, enabling it to secure a two-thirds majority, which could be used to pass future constitutional changes without significant opposition.[3]
Current Status
As of June 2025, Bill No. 7 remains under debate in the National Assembly. Its potential enactment continues to generate national discussion, with stakeholders calling for transparency and wide public consultation.
