NCC extolled for timely completion of Constitution duty

Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has commended the National Constitution Conference (NCC) for timely hand over of the draft constitution to Government.

And FODEP has challenged Government to also ensure that it tables the Bill before Parliament within the stipulated timeframe that is in the NCC Act.

ZANIS reports that FODEP Information Officer MacDonald Chipenzi told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today that there was need for Government to quickly present the draft to Parliament so that contentious issues are debated upon within 30 days.

Mr. Chipenzi noted that by taking the bill to Parliament on time members of the public would also be comforted that next year’s elections would be governed by the new constitution.

He said there was need to ensure that the timeframe was properly utilised if controversial articles such as the 50+1 and others were to be given adequate attention before they are implemented for the benefit of the people in the country.

Mr. Chipenzi said quick implementation of the agreed articles by the NCC would also go a long way in enhancing national democracy.

He observed that Zambia was a growing democracy that needed to embrace all tenets aimed at promoting national development through a transparent democratic system.

He further disclosed that his organisation wants to ensure that next’s general elections were held under new electoral laws to avoid disputes that always arose every post election.

The National Constitution Conference yesterday officially handed over the draft Constitution Bill and final report to Government for onward tabling in Parliament for enactment.

And Vice President George Kunda who is also Justice Minister assured that Government will begin legislative processes which precede the submission of a bill to Parliament to alter the republican Constitution.

Meanwhile, Mr. Chipenzi has also appealed to the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to seriously accommodate public submissions made on the revision of the electoral code of conduct.

The ECZ is currently holding public discussions for people to make submissions on the revision of the electoral code of conduct before next year’s general elections.

ZANIS