2025 Constitutional Review Submissions
 Traditional Leaders submit to committee on constitutional amendment process - Central Province | |
| Date | 2025 |
|---|---|
| Participants | Citizens, civil society organizations, and government institutions |
| Outcome | Nationwide submissions toward constitutional reform |
Constitutional Review Submissions form part of an ongoing national process aimed at revising and modernizing the country's constitutional framework. Initiated by the Government of the Republic of Zambia in 2025, the process is being coordinated by the Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments (TCCA), mandated to gather submissions and recommendations from citizens and stakeholders across the country.
The initiative seeks to strengthen democracy, ensure equitable distribution of national resources, and address long-standing governance challenges through a transparent, inclusive, and people-driven approach.
Background
Zambia’s constitutional evolution has been marked by several review processes since independence. Notable among them was the 2006 constitutional review under President Levy Mwanawasa, which established multiple committees to evaluate and propose amendments to various constitutional provisions.
The 2025 review continues this legacy but places greater emphasis on broad-based public consultation, transparency, and accountability in the drafting process. It reflects growing national consensus that constitutional development should be shaped through citizen participation rather than partisan interest.
Process and Participation
The Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments (TCCA) operates under defined Terms of Reference that include extensive national consultations. The process allows citizens and institutions to participate through multiple channels, including:
- Written submissions delivered to local council civic centers
- Oral presentations made during district and provincial sittings
- Video conference sessions to include remote participants
- Online submissions via the official platform (constitution.gov.zm) and designated email addresses
Consultations are conducted in phases across all ten provinces to ensure comprehensive representation. Stakeholders such as traditional leaders, churches, civil society organizations, political parties, youth and women’s groups, and professional associations are encouraged to contribute.
Key issues open for submission include the electoral process, parliamentary tenure, local government composition, constituency delimitation, and qualifications of constitutional office holders.
Key Areas of Review
The submissions process addresses several proposed reforms in Zambia’s constitutional governance, including:
- Reviewing the number and distribution of parliamentary constituencies
- Revising procedures for nominations and by-elections
- Harmonizing terms of office for Members of Parliament and local council officials
- Promoting women, youth, and persons with disabilities in elective offices
- Strengthening the administration of justice in election petitions
- Clarifying definitions related to age, citizenship, and eligibility criteria for political office
Civil society groups have called for an independent, accountable, and transparent process to prevent the constitutional review from being politicized. They have urged that the outcome should produce a long-lasting and people-centered constitution reflective of Zambia’s democratic aspirations.
Significance
The 2025 constitutional review is seen as a pivotal opportunity to reinforce constitutional democracy in Zambia. It aims to create a framework that fosters inclusivity, good governance, and equitable development. The resulting document—whether a revised or new constitution—is expected to address historical governance challenges and lay a solid foundation for national unity and progress.
References
- Government of the Republic of Zambia, Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments – Terms of Reference and Nationwide Consultation Process (2025)
- Zambia Launches Constitutional Review to Strengthen Democracy, Open Zambia (2025)
- Joint Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Press Statement on the Technical Committee for Constitution Amendments (2025)
- Constitutional History and Review Stages in Zambia, ConstitutionNet (2019)
- Lusaka Times and other media reporting on ongoing constitutional review sittings and submissions (2025)
