Thursday, March 28, 2024

Government to consider term limits for all elective positions

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Newly appointed Attorney General Likando Kalaluka during the Swearing in Ceremony at State House on April 8,2015 -Picture by THOMAS NSAMA
Attorney General Likando Kalaluka

Attorney General Likando Kalaluka has assured the 22 petitioners who seek to have the Constitution amended to provide for term limits for all elective offices that Government will consider their proposals in the usual manner.

In a letter dated November 1, 2017 to lead petitioner, Isaac Mwanza, Mr. Kalaluka says the proposals towards amendment of the Republican Constitution as regards the term limits for all elective positions will be considered in the usual manner.

Meanwhile the 22 Petitioner have welcomed the consideration by the Attorney General and stated that they are willing to have an honest national debate on term limits.

Mr. Mwanza has thanked the Attorney General and has said petitioners are hopeful that this matter will also receive favorable consideration from Cabinet, the ruling Patriotic Front and well meaning opposition parties who are genuinely concerned with efforts to continue developing democratic systems tailored to our needs as a country.

Mr. Mwanza has encouraged government to table the amendments during the next sitting in February, 2018.

25 COMMENTS

  1. It’s a good idea especially in our contest where an MP can run in perpetuity without developing his Constituency. People are so poor that little monies given to them during election time is enough to convince them to keep voting for the same non performing MP every 5 years.

    • Like CHITE swore in the new constitution in front of 60,000 cadres without reading it. Now wants threaten judges to allow him to stand for a 3rd term. Nxaaaah!!!

      Yesterday Elias Chipimo Jr made a clear analysis of what the constitution says: CHITE is NOT eligible to stand in 2021.

  2. Also the 14 days within which to hear the presidential petitions should be amended to go back to the old provisions and let the declared winner be sown in with 48hrs. The 14 day have brought mischief and is creating anarchy in the country.

    • RIGGING IS THE MISCHIEF HERE WHICH HAS BREED ANARCHY AND MISTRUST. JUST LIKE BUYING GOODS, YOU NEED ENOUGH TIME TO RETURN ANY GONGA (FAULTY GOODS OR A PRESIDENT). DON’T MISLEAD US, SIGNS ARE ALL OVER. SINCE WHEN IN ZAMBIA’S HISTORY HAS CORRUPTION, LIES, TRIBALISM AND NEPOTISM FEATURED FREQUENTLY IN HEAD LINES, BLOGS AND DISCUSSIONS.

  3. Also presidential candidates who have contested more than twice and failed to make it consecutively should not be allowed to stand – desperation from perpetual losers is causing anarchy in the country.

    • Do you like Michael sata? Sata attempted more than 3 times, 4th time that’s when heavens opened up for him, If you do like sata, you wouldn’t wish that to happen to anyone.

  4. AGREED.
    We also want REAL Degree Holders for ALL elective positions.
    You have 5 years to Study for Degree or save, invest and exit.
    No Excuse, we want the best of the best as Councilors, Mayors and MPs.
    Not just noise makers or sleepers.

    • What’s this you’re saying? My friend leadership is not about degrees. Most great leaders have a humble education. This is mediocre way of thinking. Research before writing such trash

  5. Big joe, you are a PF thug. No need for amendments when you can not respect the existing laws. There is not anarchy in the country. PF has a culture of anarchy by the way, that is why you can’t respect the laws. Amendment will not help you, in fact it will expose you despotic culture. Big Joe, don’t sympathize with wrong doers, think of other Zambians who are suffering under the PF satanic government.

    • When are you going to hold elections in UPND? Charity starts at home. By not doing this, UPND cannot be trusted to uphold the Republican Constitution. If you cannot do this in your party, shut up and do not comment on Republican Constitution. You can only give what you have. UPND has failed to lead by example on this issue.

    • In house democracy is cardinal in any set up. All political parties who have never gone to the Convention as STIPILATED by their PARTY constitutions should be the last to talk about democracy.

  6. It should read A candidate shall only appear twice on a ballot paper contested for. Meaning twice as MP, then go for councillor, mayor or president

  7. A good idea but like many other political things in this country it will not go anywhere. The AG is just being polite.

    • Whilst Plunderers Federation Major Plunderers are hard working in arse l1cking and stashing stolen and looted handouts from Endemically Corrupt Leader?

  8. Open your eyes. They may just squeeze in 3 terms at the Presidential level to suit Jonathan Edward (JE). You’ve heard it first here

  9. This is a nice move.upnd mps or leaders are the major culprits as they only use tribe to remain MPs or leaders.upnd has MPs such as Monze MP Jack Mwiimbu,Mazabuka MP Garry Nkombo who have been in Parliament for 20yrs or so minus building even a toilet in their constituencies.Garry Nkombo,Jack Mwiimbu,Chinga Miyutu dont even visit their areas but since they are tonga,come 2021 upnd will adopt them and tribal voters will elect them once more-shame!!
    ALL COUNCILLORS;MAYORS,MPS,PRESIDENTS IN ZAMBIA SHOULD ONLY RULE FOR 10 YRS (TWO FIVE YEAR TERMS)!!!
    this must go to political parties too because its undemocratic for one to be a leader of a political party for more than 10yrs minus even having any convention LIKE HH!!
    I REPEAT,UPND IS A MAJOR CULPRIT ON THIS SCORE!!

  10. The move will enhance democracy as many people will have an opportunity to be appointed and to serve the country. Kudos to the petitioners and tribute to the Artoney General for showing political will.

  11. These elective office holders should have succesion strategy now,not what we have been seeing in both PF and UPND especialy Mps who hv overstayed without being chaleged by youths for fear of witchcraft.

  12. These elective office holders should have succesion strategy now,before your terms ends groom someone to succed u.

  13. I think this amendments if adopted will bring resistance from UPND leaders because they are the most affected. Each leader has a permanent position starting with HH, Nkombo, Mwimbu and the list is endless. I think to ask these guys to pave way for others, you will need divine intervention. It won’t be easy as they know nothing about democracy. In all fairness, its a good move to promote equality and participation for all.

  14. More importantly, the amendment should focus on getting the executive out of the legislature by scrapping the appointment of members of parliament by the executive branch of govt. This way the entire legislature will be answerable to the electorate. With the current constitution the executive is advantaged two-fold, by appointing the mps and the speaker. And speaker tables bills that will favour the leadership politically.

  15. In USA if one loses a presidential election he or she can not contest the second time, it means the people have rejected you,it only in zambia where one person would contest 5 times in one.

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