The government has been challenged to make its position known on Bill 10 on contentious clauses contained in the Constitution of Zambian (Amendment) Bill Number 10 of 2019.
In a statement released by the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Andrew Ntewewe, the organization said it has been engaging Government with a view of urging them to consider the usual practice in which Cabinet makes its position known on a Bill to amend the Constitution through the White Paper.
“We are aware that members of the public are anxiously waiting for the presentation of Bill 10 for second reading. This anxiety has been marked with mixed perception on whether the Government remains committed to amending the Bill to reflect the sentiments from members of the public as well as the recommendations of the Parliamentary Select Committee,” said Mr. Ntewewe.
Mr. Ntewewe said it is imperative for Government to state its positions on a number of provisions contained in the Bill as a process of building confidence among the general public for whom this Constitution is intended.
He has described the debate surrounding the contents of Bill 10 which started last year as healthy but insisted that his organisation considers that the Government must make its position known as no Cabinet position, regardless of whether doing so may expose those making excuses and bent on frustrating a very well-intended process.
“We have the utmost confidence that the constitutional reform process through Bill 10 will deepen our democratic culture in which Members of Parliament and Government tasked to enact amendments must listen to all citizens and endeavour to reach a common ground for all.”
“Additionally, we wish to also put on record that Government, through the Minister of Justice, should make clear its position on all progressive provisions in the Bill, particularly the Mixed Member Proportional Representation system which will for the first time since independence guarantee the participation of women, youths and persons with disability in the governance of the country,” said Ntewewe.
Timely advice to Govt. We need to see if it’s committed to bringing amendments. UPND always mischievous attitude can come out
Hakainde does not mean well when it comes to Constitution. No matter what Govt does, proves difficult at end of day to work with his party
Whose constitution is it anyway? The PF alone or all of us? And whn was it amended ?
Hope Govt can publicise what will be amended. Public confidence in process will shoot up if we see amendments now
Am certain UPND Western MPs re thinking twice after bye election results in Western Province. They can do without HH. This fear of HH shouldn’t hold process to clean bill
HH and UPND does not mean well, worse that govt is not saying exactly what amends it wants to bring to bill
Govt has no position on Bill 10, only PF has said its position. So yes govt must say their position.
I’m also wondering why it has taken so long. PF has got the necessary support and numbers in Parley to pass the bill not so? So why the delay?
The constitution was amended only in 2016 despite protestations that some provisions were not as as good as they should hv been. ECL arrogantly ignored those who did that and went ahead to give his assent to the amendments. Why should his judgement be trusted again? Does Lungu really care about wht Zambia needs to do to create jobs, get our engineers and scientists into workshops and laboratories to conduct tests, experiments with our own local materials to make new products? Wht manner of commander-in-chief presides over violence against fellow citizens and then claims he’sa Christian?
NO he does not. The people of Zambia do not want the constitution changed. Changing the constitution is a tool to prolong the stay of those in power.
Edgar Lungu sees himself as defender and protector of the rights and economic interests of PF members only and not every citizen. Which commander-in-chief presides over a police force which fires teargas into student hostels? If students are inside their own hostels, wht mischief was being perpetrated being there? A lawyer president who cannot meet those who disagree wth him is a let down. Wht has Lungu learned from Nelson Mandela?
Are u crazy. Everyone knows our position. Bill 10 is coming and we will enforce it democratically. We have the numbers to do so. So if you choose to pull tantrums like a baby by walking out of parliament, we will still push ahead. Happy weekend stay Corona free
Kz
THAT IS DICTATORSHIP NOT DEMOCRACY !!!!!!!!!!!!
Given Lubinda has already announced that what will be tabled in Parley for 2nd reading is the Original Bill 10 without any amendments, so what are you asking for? The Constitution isn’t about Hichilema or John Sangwa
Upnd demands re outrageous! Let the Bill pass or fail we move on
Bill 10 is a PF Govt Bill. The Bill as originally Gazetted and tabled in Parliament remains the same. Only the Originator of the Bill can withdraw it or amend it. Parliamentary Select Committee recommended Amendments are mere proposals which the PF Govt can accept or reject.
NO NEED TO WORRY BILL 10 WILL DEFINENTLY PASS, THE UPND MPS LIKES WALKIN OUT ANYHOW.SO DURING THE VOTIN DAY OF THE BILL JUST GO TO PARLIAMENT WITH A YELLOW OR PUPPLE SUIT. THEY WILL WALK OUT IN PROTEST OF YOUR SUIT,AND WE WILL PASS BILL 10.
What dictatorship when majority vote for it in parliament? Dictatorship is when a small party like upnd without numbers is trying to get its own way. Who do you think you are ?
Some of you we need to panel beat some sense into your heads
KZ, DON’T IMPOSE YOUR THINKING ON PEOPLE.ALWAYS,WHEN U WRITE SOMETHING IT’S UKUMPONTA.NO ONE NEEDS PANEL BEATING BUT PEOPLE LIKE U ARE THE ONES WHO NEEDS IT. WE,DON’T NEED BILL 10 CZ WE HAVE ALOT OF ISSUES IN THIS NATION OF ZAMBIA.
Yields on Zambia’s Eurobonds are now over 50%. Do u know wht that means and what’s likely to follow? There ought to be an emergency meeting to address this and then issue a serious statement to calm nerves. Short of that the kwacha may not be doing well in foreign exchange markets which could just wreck things. Municipal workers hv walked away from work as hv university dons. Situation scary. I don’t like this.
“Additionally, we wish to also put on record that Government, through the Minister of Justice, should make clear its position on all progressive provisions in the Bill, particularly the Mixed Member Proportional Representation system which will for the first time since independence guarantee the participation of women, youths and persons with disability in the governance of the country,” said Ntewewe.
IS THIS THE ONLY ARTICLE IN BILL 10, BECAUSE HAVE HEARD SOME PEOPLE REFER TO IT ON WOMEN’S DAY AND YOUTH DAY? how can this be achieved in a democratic state , I say so because I have heard some people talk about having some seats reserved for women and the youth, is that not imposing candidates on electorates? yes in a socialist/commmunist one party state maybe that can be imposed but in…
be imposed but in a democracy like zambia I dont think so. I this the only solution is to encourage more women and youth to participate in politics, and encourage political parties to consider adopting more youth and women, and not make this constitutional, its undemocratic.
KZ IS RIGHT DICTORSHIP IS BEEN A PRESIDENT OF A LOSIN PARTY LIKE UPND FOR 15YEARS. LET THEM WALK OUT BILL WILL PASS
am just curious to know when er they going to publicicy this thing called bill 10.
what are some of the articles which upnd supports?viva lungu!
what are some of the articles in so called bill 10, which upnd supports?viva lungu!