Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called on Members of Parliament to pass the Constitution of Zambia Bill Number 10 with amendments when it is presented for second reading by the Minister of Justice this Tuesday.
Speaking at a joint CSO media briefing held at MISA Zambia today, 7 civil society organisations reminded all political parties represented in Parliament that the 2016 Constitution has given the country enough of problems due to the inconsistencies which had made interpretation of the Constitution. The NGOs have since disclosed that the Minister of Justice has finally filed a notice of amendments to Bill Number 10 with the National Assembly.
Southern Centre for Constructive Resolutions of Disputes (SACCORD) Executive Director Boniface Chembe outlined a number of cases which have gone before the Courts due to conflicting and confusing provisions in the Constitution. These included the 14 days for hearing a petition which is now being extended to 30 days, the election of councillors on party lines which was challenged by lawyers in court, and many other areas.
“In 2016, lawyers had also argued that the 2016 Constitution does not allow political parties to sponsor candidates for positions of councillors and mayors, and they went to court to challenge sponsorship of councillors. Immediately after disputed 2016 elections, we saw serious problems emerging among lawyers, politicians and voters on interpretation of the 14 days for hearing a presidential petition after Mr. Hichilema challenged the election of President Lungu, leading to petitioner’s lawyers walking out as they argued that the time for presenting the petition was not enough to hear it,” said Chembe.
The NGOs called on MPs to now discharge their duty to unmake and make laws, which includes the Constitution stating that well-intentioned Members of Parliament must give Bill 10 a chance to see if the Bill can be amended at the Committee of the Whole House stage, but will also fully support these positive clauses such as Mixed Member Proportional Representation system whose details will be spelt out in the new Electoral Systems Act.
“The Constitution which MPs will be debating is not for the PF nor the UPND, it is not for those who took time to make submissions to the Ministry of Justice or those who crafted it at NDF, and the Constitution is not for us civil society leaders who spoke the loudest or lowest on radios and TVs over the last 3 years. The Constitution is for that old lady in Mugubudu; it’s for the young man in Bweengwa; it’s for that youth in Chilubi: The constitution is and must be an embodiment of the aspirations of all the people of Zambia regardless of tribe, ethnicity and indeed political affiliation,” said Mr. Chembe.
The organisations include SACCORD, MISA – Zambia, Zambian Institute of Governance and Civil Liberties Advocacy Platform (ZIGLAP), National Youth Anti-Corruption Movement (NYACM), Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Common Grounds Network (CGN) and Constitutional Reform and Education Coalition (CRECO)
Progressive CSOs these ones are. Let’s clean Bill and enact
Civil society is divided over this bill but that’s what democracy does. Just think we must take politics away and amend Bill
you all guys what do you understand about this constitution , we know you have been bought by those we cannot mention at all
What has happened with CSOs in this country. Looks like we have challenges. Others are UPND aligned and others are PF. Chipenzi leads one and now Chembe leads another
These are not CSOs. Bena Yali sure. Lusakatimes be serious.
Headline should have read: PF Surrogate CSOs back the passing of Bill 10 in Parliament.
Chipenzi hides under gears but he is upnd. That’s not cso
Everyone has spoken out and there is too much divergent views from both sides. Allow MPs to debate freely
Chembe is level headed unlike Chipenzi who can’t see anything beyond UPND.
In a democratic dispensation, there are the right side and the left side….a vote puts an argument between the two parties to an end. So, please take that bill to parliament and subject it to a vote so that this matter is put to an end. That Democracy guys.
I think you mean the truth hurts
These are PF surrogate CSO’s
Hired organization, just eat silent don’t involve MPS into your dirty game.cheembe money is sweet has implicated your tongue sole william.shemunabane sheemu!!.
We now for UPND surrogates to also speak out. Gears where are u? Zambia my country
It appears hunger and poverty knows no limit, even the civil society organizations are not spared. After brainwashing the Judiciary, Lungu has created county where even those who have eyes can’t even see beyond their stomachs. It’s shame supporting the wrongs. If this bill 10 is passed you will things laws being changed to suit Lungu’s clinge in power.
As long as they have removed all the contentious clauses which people dont want such as deputy ministers etc.
Only MISA is credible there,,,,,the rest are useless NGOs
Just sack every politician and Civic society takes over. All politicians shall be locked up and students led junta shall usher in a government of national unity
Here’s borrowed wisdom from a French intellectual Frederic Bastiat (1801-50): “When plunder has become a way of life for a group of men in society, over the course of time they create for themselves a legal system that authorises it and a moral code that glorifies it”.