FODEP ups constitution sensitization

FODEP says it will work with government on the constitution making process to ensure that all citizens understand and participate in order for their aspirations to be met.

In an interview, FODEP national programmes sub-committee chairperson Adrian Muunga said that his organization’s objectives were to stimulate national wide interest and participation in the constitution making process.

Mr Muunga added that FODEP will also advocate for the adoption of the draft constitution through a referendum and to mobilize, educate and empower electorates to be able to exercise their rights.

“We have a sensitization meeting here in Choma to sensitize Fodep members and others from civil society to make an input in the constitution making process, FODEP has created a platform to allow civil society share their views on the constitution making process,” he said.

Mr.Muunga said that members of the civil society have different perceptions on the constitution making process which needed to be harmonized adding that FODEP was participating in the constitution making process to ensure that all the democratic tenets are not over looked.

“For instance if there are any peculiar issues in southern province with regards to the constitution making process we would like the people who will represent the districts at the provincial consultative forum to give the recommendations exactly the way they are presented without making any alterations from the district submissions ,”he explained.

Mr.Muunga said it is FODEP’S desire to see every citizen regardless of the status participate in the constitution making process especially on contentious issues like the 50percent + 1,the presidential running mate ,appointment of ministers from outside parliament and abolishment of the death penalty.

“We are giving chance to those people who didn’t attend the consultative district forum together with those who attended so that we can get feedback,” said Mr Muunga.

And Government has challenged the civil society to engage the Technical Committee drafting the new constitution to ensure that the country comes up with a people driven document.

Kitwe District Commissioner Elias Kamanga said NGO’s, the Church and political parties should bury their differences and synergize efforts towards achieving a credible, all inclusive and effective constitution.

Speaking in Kitwe today during a Forum for Democratic Process (FODEP) Consultative meeting on the on –going Constitution making process, Mr Kamanga said Zambia has wasted a lot of time and money on failed constitution review processes which he said raises the need for the current constitution to be successful.

He further reiterated the Patriotic Front Government commitment to overseeing a non partisan constitution making process.

And FODEP vice President Martin Mbewe said FODEP will plays its role to ensure that the on-going constitution making process is successful.

Mr Mbewe said there was need to come up with a constitution that will meet the demands of the Zambian people.

He said a good constitution was a foundation for good governance as such the people’s wishes should be reflected in the final document.

Meanwhile, Mr Mwale bemoaned the absence of members of parliament in the on going districts and provincial consultative meetings on the constitution making process.

He also noted that there was inadequate publicity on the proves especially in rural areas.

And a representative from the Zambia National Women’s Lobby group noted that people in rural areas did not make submissions on the draft constitution due to ignorance.

Suzanne Kambeu said the people in rural areas did not know the contents of the current constitution and those of the draft document.

Ms Kambeu urged government to put aggressive measures to ensure that people are adequately educated about the constitution making process so that they can participate effectively.

ZANIS