THE draft of the new Zambian constitution will be published by July this year, the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) has revealed.
And NCC spokesperson Mwangala Zaloumis says no one has the power of altering the draft constitution once adopted by the NCC.
Mrs Zaloumis was speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka yesterday.
She said once the draft constitution is published, it will be in circulation for 60 days to allow for public comments before the adoption of the final version.
“The NCC secretariat wishes to register its appreciation for the interest that a good number of people of Zambia have shown and continue to show in the constitution-making process.
“We hope that the NCC will receive useful public comments when the draft constitution is published this July and we can assure them that all their comments will be taken on board,” Mrs Zaloumis said.
She said six of the committees concluded their work last year. These are the citizenship, public service, public finance, judicial, local government and democratic governance committees.
Mrs Zaloumis said the remaining five NCC committees were currently meeting to debate and make recommendations on parts of the contents of the
Mung’omba draft constitution.
The committees are the general constitutional principles, human rights, executive, legislative and land and environment.
Mrs Zaloumis said issues discussed and debated on by the committees which concluded work last year included the 50 per cent plus one for a winning presidential candidate and the composition of board members of the Electoral Commission of Zambia.
She said these and many other recommendations were awaiting approval and ratification by the conference.
She said the process will be completed by March this year, after which the conference will be convened to approve the work of all the 11 committees that were constituted by the NCC under statutory instrument No. 25 of 2008.
Mrs Zaloumis said the NCC would endeavour to complete the constitution-making process within the stipulated time-frame of 12 months after it started deliberations last year.
“The constitution-making process was temporarily curtailed last year due to the death of Dr Mwanawasa and the presidential election that followed. However, we shall ensure we finish the process within the time-frame,” she said.
And Mrs Zaloumis said there was no provision in the NCC Act for the executive to alter the constitution to be adopted by NCC members.
She said the NCC was saddened with negative criticism being perpetuated by some opposition political
party leaders over the constitution-making efforts.
Mrs Zaloumis said Zambians should realise that the adoption of the constitution through a popular body such as the NCC was a fundamental departure from the previous mode of adopting the constitution through the government White Paper.
“Contrary to what is being speculated in some quarters of the media, I wish to emphasise for the general information that there is no provision in NCC for anyone to alter the constitution once adopted by the NCC.
“The criticism is aimed at denying the people of Zambia an opportunity to have a good constitution that will stand the test of time,” she said.
Mrs Zaloumis said the constitution to be adopted by the NCC would not be a recommendation to the Minister of Justice but rather a final submission to either the national referendum or Parliament, depending on the decision of the conference in accordance with section 25 of the NCC Act.
“The adoption of the constitution is being made by various stakeholders both in Government, non-governmental organisations, the church, civil society and the private sector and I can assure members of the public that no stakeholder will prevail over others over the constitution-making process,” she said.
And Mrs Zaloumis says it is wrong for opposition
Patriotic Front president Michael Sata to agitate for the dissolution of the NCC when the process received blessings from all political parties.
She said the agreement to have the NCC constituted arose from the summit of all political party presidents who are members of the Zambia Centre for Inter-Party Dialogue.
“Therefore, it is unpatriotic for the same people who supported this idea from the onset to raise dissent.
Such people should know that propagating for the discontinuation of the NCC will only deny Zambians a chance to have a constitution that can enhance our current multi-party democratic environment,” Mrs Zaloumis said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Yakupita ewe!l-)
Good development anyway…
Thanks no 50 plus 1
Yes lets see what product will come out of this already compromised NCC!
50+1 please
Iwe Chale wampapuscha!! Awe Ni Family
I hope the best brains of Zambia are at work in the NCC. A constitution is too elementary to be drafted by novices.
Ba Nine Chale no posts since morning ukwisa fikafye na l-)
Congratulations.
50 +1 please. If not happy then sod off people!
50+1 kalas!
July? Is that why Zaloumis is rushing to say the 500,000 per day is not enough?
July? Good development. Dont forget the 50+1 please!
3RqU, Nine Chale
Morning!
Baby C good morning.
Morning Baby C,
Morning 3RqU
Morning Jamaco
Muli shani?:)
50+1 kwasila! That is the people’s will. Anything else is trash.
Iwe this Contsitution Draft is a good thing!! I am waiting!! Let it be inspired by Men and Women of God!!
Still I am for the 50plus 1
You get too much for too little. That job can be done even as charitable work to the nation. Think of how much you have eaten and yet to get while you still insist it is too little that you get! Just revising Mungomba’s constitution, simple rewording and for that you get so much at the expense of the people you claim to be helping! You are all job seekers. An indaba without any allowances could have produced an even better constitution. Don’t just get too fat, you get blood pressure because you have taken people’s money for your little contribution. We can re-allign resources in Zambia and create a proud Zed for everyone.
Awe yakokola iyi NCC mwe.
Nine Chale I am good thank you.
Well done you l-)
LT should submit our comments(bloggers) to NCC when the draft is in circulation for 60 days.
WHO CARES ABOUT THE GARBAGE
Time for Re-Runs!!! Ine natwmwa l-)
#18
Ma! Mukalisha abantu
Guys let me do some work now. I might get a “sack” (moloshi). :d:d
#18 Iwe :o:o:o:o:o:o ba NCC , do they have access to the Internet? 😕
Then call them and just give them the LT Site so that they can follow it LIVE!!! :)>- 50+1
I only hope 50%+1 will be there and also Presidential powers should be reduced.
#23 is Jamaco !! :)>-
They will submit in July but will need to sit to review the draft constitution again for another 2 years at a sitting allowance of K1,000,000 per day!!!THieves… 😮
yeah, 50+1 please!
50+1
I’m personally not a sympathiser of this 50+1 thing, it’s too “unZambian” if you like. I think there are other ways to skin the cat.
##
24. Rashid Jones I agree with you! ACTUALLY THE PRESIDENT SHOULD JUST REPRESENT THE NATION !!! AND THEN THE PRIME MINISTER SHOULD HAVE 60 % OF THE POWERS AND HE SHOULD CREATE THE CABINET!!
THE PRESIDENT ONLY COMES IN WHEN IT COMES TO SIGNING THE LAW PASSED BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY!!
Let’s just wait and see how this will go down. Time for me to check on my household now…later bloggerzzz:-w
IWE CHALE !! TAULEYA KUNCHITO LELO?
LELO NINE CHALE PLAYING HOUSE HUSBAND!! :d
If wishes were horses beggars would ride. Still relevant to this day. NCC is the avenue to raise proposals for inclusion into drafts. Without participation, certain proposals go begging. The draft to be availed to the public consists only of the included proposes. Comments have very limited influence on the draft as to make them inadquate to derail the process. Just a qualification on why Zaloumis says that no one can stop…blah blah.
#16 Yebo. You have made my day.
Does it really have to take so long. Are these people so dull.
Nine Chale, tell us something.are you married?
#24…………….and rigging of elections should be regarded as treason
Ladies and gentlemen! It is about time we graduated from selfish politics to selfless all inclusive politics. It appears government and politicians in general will not ‘willingly’ listen to the voice of reason from common Zedians especially when it comes to the constitution. But they are the first ones to rush to the common Zedian when they desperately want that vote that puts them into position of power which they later use to abuse Zedians with.
A 50+1 is not such a bad idea. In fact it is a safety-catch to protect Zedians from a crop of selfish characters. People should not complain about costs of re-running presidential elections because parliamentary elections are held every month in Z.
Furthermore, democracy is not static, it is dynamic. Let us as Zedians define our own democracy! So viva 50+1, viva!
Its sad that poverty can lead people to make wrong decision to gain economic benefits ,they completely loose diginity and direction in such a manner that they can strip in front of cameras if it meant reaping some economic gains.I cannot appalaud this behaviour but poverty might be an important reason why the poor social relations exists between individuals and the state.
It is unfortunate for people who claim to love and represent the Zambian people in NCC are against 50+1 which is OUR solution to our political crisis.
How I wish I had power to reduce your so called K500,000- seating allowance per day and subsides on fuel!
I dont want a president who is put into office by people (Ba Grade 7) who dont even know anything about the government.
LT please find space for the draft constitution so that a villager like me who is surviving on K265,000- per month (lowest paid!) can assess it on mobile.
“Zambia has no money for a re-run!” can you imagin! Who are you representing? Did the government send you to make that statement? Please, tell the nation what you are up to. WE NEED 50+1 per cent.
#36 Rahid Jones, yes my friend…
Sister
Can we have a situation were the Vice president will also be elected? This tendacy of waking up certain people from deep sleep to come and serve in such a high office is getting out out hand.
Anyway i reserve my comments till when i see it in draft for me to have a clear understanding on its possible advantages and disadvantages
This Mwangala woman is on the NCC for one thing only, to eat public money and to push for that barotse nonsense to be included in the so called “new constitution”. The NCC is not really a people powered movement, it is just a collection of compromised individuals trying to deceive the people of Zambia. Zambians must put up resistance against these criminals so that the NCC is abolished. We need a constitution for the people by the people not a constitution for some MMD tribalists!
Jamaco, as if you don’t know how we work here…here a little and there a little, nightshift some days & early shift other days, in-between you can take a day off, like I’ve done today.
am lookin forward to see the 50+1 clause in there and curtailing the excessive presidential powers.
Ili ilyashi lya Constitution nanaka nalyo. This thing has been going on for so long I bet you the majority of Zambians do not understand this consitution and have very little knowledge about it.
~o):^o
about time not just chewing tax payers money nama allowances and getting fat [-x
Iwe ka Matworld ask my question… njasuka. When is the book you were writing gettind published?
Nalafulwa ka! And if think abena Baby C, Nine Chale, 3RqU ati bala kulammwina ubepele fye.
without 50+1 in the new constitution chimo nano constitution!!!!! Let these guys get this into their thick heads.
Umugazebo
Abena Gazzie mulishani? How do you go quite when you know very well that you are a BGS? Mulelanda , or else… you will be replaced without warning
Zambia needs a military government!
50+1 here we come!!
50 plus One would not be good for Zambia. We are too immature politically. We may end up having Govt of national unity which weakens our Govt. Look at Zim, Kenya, Israel etc. Wherever there’s a coaltion Govt, things become unstable as each side can hold to ransom the other. If one walks out, Govt collapses.
Let’s continue with the simple majority. It’s not the best but it’s better to have peace and sanity than chaos. Ours are politics of poverty so people are willing to do anything to secure political jobs.
If 50 + 1 is not achieved ,then it wont stand a taste of tym. >:)
Lets give it a try! If can try RB for president, why not the 50+1????
50+1 and trimming of presidential powers is the right way to go! Viva Zambia.
Imwe ba mayi ndi mwe bakulu maningi.But why are you even saying that your Sitting allowances at NCC are not enough.Ba Zaloumis,instead of reducing them due to financial constraints you are saying ati twachepa.Chokako ku NCC ngati sufuna. Give us 50+1 clause there not chabe kumbakamba. Jamaco muli che ati how? Ba Nine Chale simulkamba at numbala 1 manje ka.Mukamba che vanu ka? Anakalipa LT manje!
50+1 is the way to go,the president of the republic of zambia has got to much power,no wonder they end up thinking like zambia is there own company..trimming some of his powers shld be supported in the nxt constitution.
Jamaco,Baby C and Rashid Jones. Likasondeke makashatala,lokokoko litatoka libobobo,landata shatalama sondo mukatamaka.
#43 Baby C. Awe mwandi. Its too much. Waking up somebody from a deep sleep. I hope this is the last of this nonsense.
“Ba Zaloumis” the looks’ it’s man in a woman’s image.
just joking
50 plus 1 a must please listen to Zambians.its not good to regret when you are no longer in govt to see people suffer when you had such opportunity to change the constitution.
Hey listen everyone.I have a beautifull girl,she is doing law at Unza.She is in her third year.Ama loving niyamushe ba Jamaco.imwe aha awe sure.
Lusaka Times what about the headline “UPND BLAMES PF FOR CHOLERA”
I want fellow bloggers to know just how useless UPND and PF are, and how I can see MMD winning in 2011. Both parties are tribal for your own information.
Leave behind a constitution that will be appreciated by many and in the end people will say madam zaloumis did a right thing.
Imwe ba SISTER mwati ati pf yachitabwa? Ndani uku uzani ati ili tribal? Zilemekezeni mwanvera. Kwatu niku mawa koma ni support a PF.
#63. SISTER, this this of waking up people is just ok! who knows next time you may just get a phone call telling you to stop blogging as you have been anointed to become the next zed presido!!!
Am sure RB will wake up Grey Zulu to be next presido!
:-@
waste of money…UTH needs panadols and other basic drugs
Ba Mwangala, baliba technology savvy! Nika Nokia N series aka ndemona?
#67 Sister, your post about both PF and UPND being tribal. You are very right. Truth be told, PF is supported by the majority Bembas even in the face of data that should make them think otherwise. The same is true of UPND.
#62 Wounded ….
Whats that??? Blank….
😮
If they fail to implement the 50+1, running mate issues, we’ll go JAMBO
Yes the NCC is very much aware of the LT site and we read the blogg as Members to see your comments.
One result has been to re examine the Act to remove restrictions on sittings so that work is completed in 2009.
The tragedy of our country is that a none-partisan effort by all the people of Zambia to create a people driven Constitution is being undermined by a person who had agreed with its formation. This kind of unprincipled behaviour may cost the country a good constitution.
This constitution will reduce Presidential power and strengthen Zambia’s democracy. But Ba Sata only twants to use his popularity for short term political fights. Its a shakespeare tragedy.
More than ever before i wish i was in Lusaka than the copperbelt as may be by stroke of luck i may find myself on one of this useless venture to the public but very profitable to all those sitting on it. Imagine getting K500 pin a day, teas, coffee and lunch. It is much more that one can wish for, especially that most of the families of average 6 people live on less than K5pin per day.
This is a scam considering that some people like this lady or woman (Zaloumis) feel the allowances are not enough. How i wish all teachers, doctors and nurses could get a minimum of above K10 million per month. There will be less fikopo and dying. i can imagine how they will be running to just serve us.
77. SEPE WA LOKWA, if you are indeed from NCC, thats for comming in, now I can put my comments: 1. As you have seen, 50+1 is the way to go. It will heal Zambia’s budding regionalism. 2. We need a running mate, with due respect, people who become presidents from the blues take time to settle. One was just complaining about whites not allowing others to invest in Lodges and yet he is the presido. 3. Forget about Sata’s tantrums. Most Zambians know and understand what a flip flop he is. If this constitition will not have 50+1, sorry to say, you guys in NCC will join the ever increasing list of time and resource wasters in Zambia. Save yourselves and save zambia.
July seems reasonable lets pray these job seekers wont prolong the process.Otherwise we need to have a new constitution before 2011. Zambians have been cheated for a long time now, we desparately need a 50 + 1 law in 2011 so that only intelligent leaders are elected by the majority unilke the current situation were by only the un informed people elect the president.
79
I am loking your blogs through and through.
¬We nned 50+1
¬A running mate is what we need to arrest resources in by elections considering most people aspiring for president in zambia are the oldeis. I mean garanteed full terms and no by-elctions.
¬Hate or love Sata he will talk his way to the grave, so take the points and leave his chaff whenever he speaks, besides it is his right to talk.
¬No need in the constitution for Barotse Protectorate please.
Baby C that was a unique language greeting you guys.
NCC, please conclude by July 2009 as you have announced.
My recommendations are:
1.) 50 + 1 % or better still 3/4 majority (75%) votes
2.) Running mate to a Presidential Candidate as Vice President contender
3.) Presidential Candidate maximum age limit of 65 years old, otherwise remove the minimum of 35 years old. We all saw how 29 year old Joseph Kabila performed and is still performing now that he is older
4.) Masters Degree in any field as minimum qualification for Presidential and Vice Presidential aspirants in the running mate arrangement.
====
LT 2008 Award Winner. =; for Zambia in 2011.
Any part addressing dual citizenship???
50+1 the only way. if they play the cards otherwise, they must be ready for a revolution in Zambia. We are tied of these guys. we want 50+1 please
50% + 1 is good,
the constitution should also allow people to have dual citizenship.
I think we should have the vice president elected as well.
this will prevent by elections when the presdo dies.
# 81. UMWINA KALALE, thanks for following my blog. I think we are on the same page. “Barotse Protectorate” issue is non starter. 50+1 will also naturally limit the number of parties. This in turn will make the few parties to really work for their votes not now where a person can use one or two rural consituencies to dribble others.
#83, your 4th point is irrelevant. I hope you were just joking. We all understand that we need an educated president. We can no longer afford to have a president whose qualifications cant even earn him/her an office orderly’s job on the Zambian market.
WE VE TRIED TO VOTE IN A NORMAL WAY BT STILL THEY KEEP ON STEALING OUR VOTES, THATS WHY WE NEED 50+1. IF ITS THE ONLY WAY TO
MMD FROM POWER.
Engine block respect yourself please.
83# Maestro, I gree with you only degree holders should aspire for the top office in the land.
45# Back fire, your tone on Mwangala is un called for, the lady is qualified lawyer who deserve respect from you.
I am looking for a job, I have two bachelor degrees, in Philosophy and in Political science, could anyone hook me up with the NCC, I am even prepared to work for 100 pin a day!
We want a constitution that will stand a test of time not something that suits them and a 50+1 should be a must because we are tired of a minority gov’t.
A well said meeting Mrs Zaloumis. It is also important to note that this document will be final ans shall note be alter by any one especially Banda.It is also important that you took into account recommendations from various stakeholders. We also hope that this document is the prepresentation of the general public.
50 + 1 a plus for SATA **==**==**==**==
Owe!!
#
90. your flag VILLAGE CONCEPT , great stuff.
Even MP qualifications mu be upgraded to Grade 12 only for now, but placed at Bachelors Degree in the near future. No undereducates, deliberate school drop outs, when MMD has provided free educations have to be allowed to be sleeping and not follow or understand the debates in our Parliament.
According to my civics which I learnt in Grade 8 and 9, Parliament, the Judiciary and Executive are very important and so we need people who will provide a vision for Zambia.
Wamene uyu constitution watiweweshya kuno ku munzi. Seems only a hand full of Zambians who can read ang understand English have the privillege to take part in such National issues. After all you are not doing a good job for the less educated.Zaloumis and her team of those that have given a great deal of business to Manzi Natural Valley among others should consider drafting the draft in the 7 local languages of Zambia. This will enable those who vote wrongly to understand what they vote for. Kuti wakayowela soti na vitenge na munyu tikawakanire cifukwa otinama ngako ndawa tuziwa lini kuwelenga cizungu.
97. your flag Adade, following your “Seems only a hand full of Zambians who can read ang understand English have the privillege to take part in such National issues. After all you are not doing a good job for the less educated.Zaloumis and her team of those that have given a great deal of business to Manzi Natural Valley among others should consider drafting the draft in the 7 local languages of Zambia. This will enable those who vote wrongly to understand what they vote for”, I would like to submit to all concerned especially GRZ to ask UNZA to get Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Physics students to write computer programmes to translate English to 7 major local languages.
🙂
#54 Can you give any reasons for your suggestion
50+1 please, or else tukachivivula.
LT should submit our comments to these chaps!!
the consititution should include also that Ministers should run for only two terms.
No circulation of the same dull chaps who talkes 20years to complete a simple degree, chaps like Mpombo & Mulongoti
this the best thing that has ever happened about the constitution and since some people are not involved which is by no fault of anybody but themselves they dont want others to succeed with good things. Mwanawasa said guys we are Zambians lets sit and do this. The same chaps were advocating for the constituent assembly how much would have been spent through that process compared to the NCC It is folly to behave like this.
#101. your flag Woza!! la, mwalasa baba on “the consititution should include also that Ministers should run for only two terms.”
This point has to be included without fail. There are two many MPs who have outlived their usefulness in our Zambia Parliament. They are normally dormant and lack the capacity to stand firm on ground that would have moved my country to great heights long time ago if they were serious.
Two terms for MPs and President, Vice President each though those lower than President can vie for President or Vice President after 2 terms can try the higher or lower – in case of Vice President – offices.
Our politics MUST now transform our country into economic progress.
Thats right Maestro!!
The Flag ya pa South Africa, apa apali Ba Chief Justice benu
#97,Adade,
Ndipo mwachithyola chinsenga.
Muliweme uko ku Zedi?
Mulityani pela??
Zamwalawila ni chendi. Malamulo ya Boma yopala ngati ni ya wala eluta kusukulu tyala. **==**==
hello bloggers
Dear Bloggers,
When this draft is presented, I suggest that we use each of the sixty(60) days to comment on each article particularly the powers of the president, the dual citizenship clause, human rights, the electoral act which must restrict the age of the president to below retirement age (55) and the 51% vote for ascendancy to the office of president. if they don’t listen, then we shall start the green label campaign and impeach the MMD govt for incompetence. LPM promised us a people driven constitution and NOT a govt driven constitution like this novice Namulambe is suggesting. Who is speaking for, RB or himself. He must be told to use his vote as NCC member and nothing beyond it.
#107, you have just reminded me about one important thing. Mps are paid a salary for making laws as they are part of the legislature and through that sit on NCC. They DO NOT deserve any siiting allowance for doing what they are paid for. The people who are entitled to the sitting allowance are non-MPs who have been drafted in to represent their community groups. Yes, those deserve to be paid. If these MPs are receiving sitting allowance then I would agree with SATA that they are actually stealing from the tax payer. Let us pursue this matter and get these day light robbers when it matters, they are thieves as well.
Still analysing most constructive contributions. It looks like our colleagues from the PF are running out of steam or is the topic too hard for their leader to think for them? But SATA being SATA, he shoots at anything even where he knows nothing at all, he simply says ‘Nalakunyela’. The man is a classic comedian but such is democracy, even f**ls are given their right to contest for presidency.
Someone mentioned something about the Barotse agreement in this blogg. If Lozis want their own country, then they can just make western province. When people of Lesotso made their own country they just took what they occupied at that time and up to now they are still dependants of South Africa. After all what is their in western province, its the poorest in zed so even if it breaks out it will still be our dependant. My main man Chilufya Sata wanted to win your votes by the Barotse agreement promise, and atleast you managed to give him more votes. You guys you hate us Bembas thats why you are behind all the time and we will always be on top of you.
this whole constitution thing is a bunch of buulsh*t! 1 week into the new constitution people wll be demanding for another new one.if we had kept even half of our current one the country probably wouldn’t be as poor as it is!these constitution commisions are a sheer waste of time and resources! :-l:-l:-l
Engines did you research on the FDD expulsions. I bet you dint cos your head is in the sand. FYI infact except for Chance Kabahye the other MPs Patel Nawa and Samukonga were expelled by the Convention that was held at Masiye Motel Kabwe. So were only acting MMDsh
If 50 + 1 is included in the constitution. The contitution will not be adopted by the time Zambians goes for elections in 2011 watch these coments. That is why Sata should not prolong this process.
Wow, awesome weblog structure! How lengthy have you ever been running a blog for? you made running a blog look easy. The overall look of your website is fantastic, let alone the content material!