Wednesday, May 8, 2024

The Controversial Constitution Amendment Bill 10 Fails by 6 Votes in Parliament

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THE Constitution Amendment Bill 2019, also known as Bill no.10, has failed to garner the support of two-thirds of Members of Parliament and has fallen away.

The bill required 111 votes to pass but only managed to get 105 yes votes.

In conceding defeat, Minister of Justice, Given Lubinda said Zambians had won as the proposed constitutional amendments received wide consultation.

Bill 10, which was supported by the ruling party, become an emotive issue with some sections of society advocating for its withdrawal.

The bill, which has been referred to the (parliamentary select) committee with sittings to deliberate on the provisions expected to commence on September 2, 2019, has received opposition from some stakeholders who claim the process abrogates the Constitution.

One of those opposed to the bill is the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ), which has petitioned in the Constitutional Court to challenge the decisions of President Edgar Lungu, the Attorney General and the National Assembly in relation to the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill no. 10 of 2019, pursuant to article 128 (3) (b) of the Constitution of Zambia, chapter 1 of the Laws of Zambia.

LAZ contends that Parliament must not hold proceedings on the Constitution Amendment Bill no. 10, which passed first reading in Parliament, saying that was in contravention of the current Constitution.

Besides LAZ, Chapter One Foundation Limited, a non-governmental organisation which seeks to promote human rights and constitutionalism, has petitioned the Constitutional Court to declare that the Constitution Amendment Bill 10 of 2019 violates national values and principles in the Constitution. The foundation wants the court to order Justice Minister Given Lubinda to withdraw the Amendment Bill from the National

66 COMMENTS

  1. LUNGU, KAMPYONGO, LUBINDA,SUNDE CHANDA-
    THIS IS THE BEGINING OF MOVING WIND FROM PF. NO MATTER WHAT, PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN OUT AND WE THANK NDC UPND AND CONEL PANJI

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  2. The sign for Edgar Lungu that the end is nearing. People don’t want nosense.

    Ask Kaunda, Chiluba and RB will tell you how Zambians can disappoint you as a president.

    PF and Edgar Lungu next prepare to exit no matter what? Not even rigging shall serve them.

    PF must go!

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  3. Zambians should work instead of wasting time on useless things. That bill was a waste of government resources. Let Ntewewe find a meaningful job.

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  4. Great news to hear that Bill 10 has been rejected as the Bill failed to garner the required 2 thirds of MPs in its favour. We cant allow a draconian Bill to mutilate the constitution of Zambia !

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  5. Amen… reason has prevailed over arrogance. After wasting millions amid the depressing poverty levels, “Goliath” has kissed dust. The small axe has chopped down the big tree.

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  6. In conceding defeat, Minister of Justice, Given Lubinda said Zambians had won over the proposed constitutional amendments

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  7. I dont even know whether it is good or bad. Honestly Zambians like most of us did not know the details. We just kept hearing about it in buses. Can some1 tell me how it would have benefited an onion farmer.

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  8. There is still hope for Zambia. This is the beginning of good triumphing over evil. Next year deliver us to freedom!

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  9. Thats how the Privitization shiiiit will end up.
    I doubt, ECL will have the guts to put up that nonsence. ENDEE…

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  10. Democracy has spoken and the will of parliament will be respected. The aim of this was to let parliament debate and decide on bill 10. A decision has been made and we the pf government acquiesce to this and respect the decision. How we wish the upnd could also respect the decision of voters during elections and not always contest results. We hope they will do so in 2021. One zambia one nation

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    • Kikikikikikikiki… Ba Kaizer, just prepare your ukwa bags and leave office next year. Kikikikikikikiki!!!!!!!!!! Oooyah, Ba Kaize, just start preparing for farming!

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    • Even using fancy words! Accept the will of the people. Forcing us to put up with your nonsense all the time…GWA!!!!!

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  11. This is a clear indication that you are almost approaching your expirely date ba pf… Mwmbefye ukuinyelawira especial the biggest commental on this platform and chikatutwa.

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  12. Nasekela-seke!!! This is a nice way to get into Friday I am telling you! Salute to John Sangwa SC meantime. We can move on to the next plans now.

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  13. The reason why upnd lose elections is because they politicise everything and think government business equates to party business. So now they think that they have won elections because a bill has not passed in a cross party parliament. The same will say that the government are dictatorship. Let’s be reasonable do you think if we were a dictatorship we would have even taken bill 10 to parliament? A dictator would have just decided it is law without anyone elses input. We respect the decision of parliament and we hope upnd will respect elections results too.

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    • I AGREE WITH YOU BA KAIZAR, LET’S HOPE THE PF WILL CONCEED DEFEAT FROM BALLY NEXT YEAR JUST AS THEY HAVE DONE IT WITH BILL TEN… kikikikikikikiki, BA KAIZAR, HOW IS MY SEMA???????

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  14. Bill 10 yagwa, Chagwa agwa! He now has to face his demons, you bet the devil is now fighting his ass, kuunya chi.kala Chagwa!

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  15. I may ask: how much did Ntewewe et al make out of this bill 10 fiasco? Pule Danny and your so called opposition parties (PF’s satellite parties) where are u and how much did u benefit out of this fiasco? U are 2 steps towards prison. Your time to go to court and eventually to jail is coming. Mark my words.

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  16. Reason has prevailed over arrogance and after spending mullions amid depressing poverty levels, “Goliath” has kissed dust. The small axe has chopped down the “big tree”…

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  17. PF is having a bitter taste of their own medicine. Remember what they did to the MMD’s NCC Constitution? They shot it down with great pleasure. Now it’s their turn. Yes UPND has been losing elections UNFAIRLY and the PF knows this

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  18. The failure of bill 10 maybe a source of problems for the opposition. When the opposition lost the elections and went to court and the court said the time for hearing has elapsed, it’s the same opposition who complained bitterly. Now the government wanted to remove the controversies through bill 10 that were contained in the 2016 amendment bill the opposition have rejected the bill. People will start regretting having rejected bill 10 just like they regretted having rejected the bill of rights.

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  19. THE Constitution Amendment Bill 2019, aka Bill no.10…. Let everything that was conceived in 2019 die please, including COVID-2019!

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  20. Bill 10 yagwa, bill boards yagwa, who hasn’t fallen? Babylon regime will soon fall and we will stand erect.

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  21. When Ncc Was shot down by pf next mmd was removed from power. Please kz, mwila, sunday, kamba and the entire pf pull up the socks things are not ok.

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  22. A tenet of democracy. You win some, you lose some. However, a head or two must roll, for less than efficient presentation. Normal in a democracy.

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  23. KZ etal, When you find no solution to a problem, its probably not a problem to be solved, but rather a truth to be accepted. So don’t burn your opportunities for temporary comfort. Think beyond today.

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  24. No one is hurt . Whether bill 10 is voted in or not, we remain in power and will remain so after 2021.however, now that bill 10 failed to pass in the house, are you any better in your lives ku diaspora ba upnd? Bill 10 has failed and you are still cleaning old peoples behind and toilets. Risking your lives in corona stricken nations. Kiki naseka sana

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    • I agree with you 100% KAIZAR!!!!! DESPITE THE FACT THAT BILL 10 HAS FALLEN, WE ARE STILL CLEANING TOILETS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PF GOVERNMENT TO OFFER US IMPLOYMENTS THE PROMISED US….

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    • “Whether bill 10 is voted in or not, we remain in power and will remain so after 2021…” kikikikikikikiki… BA KAIZAR, just go and ask for forgiveness from Seer 1, maybe he may sympathyse with you pfools! OH!! sorry, nachilaba ukupita mumbali. Kikikikikikikiki!!!!!!!

  25. Just like the Bill of Rights which the upnd decampaigned in 2016, a constitutional amendment bill has been shot down. Bill 10 for example seeked to extend the period in which a presidential petition can be heard from 14 days to 30 days amongst other things. So 2021will definitely be a replay of 2016, you saw the voting pattern in Luapula and Nothern provinces. With ZP getting new anti riot gear and knowing what to expect, I see a bleak future for Zambia’s opposition.

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  26. In their lack of strategy, upnd think they will push through peice-meal amendments of electoral laws like the period of the petition and POA which were supposed to be debated amongst our lawmakers. If PF can’t push through a bill with their numbers how will the minority opposition do it??? Upnd killed the Bill of Rights, they have killed Bill 10; Zambians will know who to blame for the lacunas in their constitution. This may end badly for our directionless opposition. Just like when Britons had to decide on who to take them through Brexit, their opposition paid a heavy price!!

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  27. Watch Lungu and his cabal they could be cooking up something.as they know this has flopped. Thank you to John Sangwa for leading the resistance and breaking down the ghost in Bill 10 in simple language. Zambia should watch people who pretend to be humble coming from nowhere and steal the presidency in daylight. Next stop petion when he tries to lodge for Presidency next year. These are crooks who won’t give up easily even when they know the odds are against them, they will try to run through anything at any cost. The have no shame.

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  28. BETTER ANALYSIS IS REQUIRED HERE. THE OPPOSITION HAVE ALWAYS BEEM OPPOSED, AND HAVE NEVER GONE TO STATE HOUSE. MIND YOU THE PF GOT 105 OUT OF 166. HOW MUCH DID THE OPPOSITION GET? THE WHOLE THING WAS POLITICISED ON BOTH SIDES. AND THE PF WILL BE THE GREATEST WINNERS AT THE END. THIS IS GOOD FOR PF. 105 IS BIGGER AND REPRESENTS MORE VOTERS THAN 61.
    1. IT SHOULD HELP PF TO BE BETTER FOCUSED. ALWAYS WINNING CAN MAKE YOU COMPLECENT.
    2. PF SHOULD COME TO TERMS THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THEY CAN LOSE THE NEXT ELECTIONS.
    3. WHAT WILL UPND TELL THE VOTERS NOW? BECAUSE ALL IS IN THE BILL 10 WHICH THEY HAVE REJECTED,
    4. PF SHOULD PUT THEIR HOUSE IN ORDER.
    I WISH TO URGE THE PF NOT TO BE MORE HEAVY HANDED AFTER THIS. LET THEM BE MAGNANIMOUS STILL WHEN DEALING WITH THE OPPOSITION. THE…

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  29. This is how MPs should have been voting from the very beginning. Okay now pay back the loans, then reduce bonuses for MPs and ministers especially.

  30. Yaaaa,PF Asebana coz bill 10 was bwabakoswe despite mixing it with a little sweet smelling clauses.the intention was to kill,but lesa wabonse the Zambian rat ena alichenjela.

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  31. People of zambia let’s learn to ready and understand, let us not be brain washed… Most of PF salogat (mwankoles) are talking about petition time. Let me tell you, that was not about time but the judges didn’t handle the petition proffessionaly , where on earth have u seen a court vote in order to pass judgement? Second the same con court ordered minister to pay back for been in office illigely and they have not owned that judgement, and now your bill 10 was proposed that ministers should remain in office even after dissolving of parliament. What kind of no sense was that and do you know what that means? ” Poison is poison even if you coat it with sugar mbalala”

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  32. This is the end of the Road for Bill Third Term. Now ECL has to figure out how to remain in Power without this evil Law. Things fall apart when the Centre can no longer hold. Congratulations to Patriotic MPs and People of Zambia for defeating this notorious Bill.

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  33. Sata wenze kudya tute, nanga tute bamayikako fertilizer? Mwankole speaking. MCS had a special name that he used to call her but has forgotten. Next year we’ll ask him if this is the continuation of Sata’s legacy

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  34. This is a sign that systems in Zambia are functional. So when UPND loses next year just be humble and accept defeat.

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  35. My fellow Zambians, you the PEOPLE have won the battle against deceit. We have spent so much money and time due to our failure to agree on a neutral road map. I wish to apologies to the CHURCH for letting them – We were so arrogant.
    Zambia is bigger than all of us I mean ALL. After what we have gone through, am now convinced that Dictators are created by People. I tender my resignation hence forth. Good bye !!!

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  36. From whatever angle one looks at Bill 10, it was never intended for the general good. Just as well this bill has formally collapsed. There was all round condemnation of this bill and, if there was a listening government, this bill would have been withdrawn a long time ago and we would have not wasted the national resources that have been spent trying to force this bill through. We should learn to listen to the voices of others and not always to our own voices!

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  37. So what this means when Parliament is dissolved no Minister will remain in office calling shoots Abena Kapyonga bonse will squarely be on the ground in there personal cars or is it bicycles.

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  38. That is exactly where you were heading to (dictatorship) I just hope you’ll accept your defeat come 2021
    Zambians hate this your government with passion I can tell you

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  39. That is exactly where you were heading to (dictatorship) I just hope you’ll accept your defeat come 2021
    Zambians hate this your PF government with passion I can tell you

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  40. In most cases we refer to “Zambians” as the majority, but I must point out that we actually mean a few people with opposing views. The majority of Zambians do not even know or take part in our so called hot issues. Majority should be left to head count – votes!!

  41. Am surprised that the upnd has taken all the credit for bill 10. First, they didn’t have the numbers to block bill 10. They were helped by the Independent MP. If these Independent MP voted with pf you could have heard all sorts of names even Insulting then. Anyone who is against Upnd has been bough by pf .what If upnd mp was allowed to vote I think the result was going to be different. I don’t see the use of celebrating because in the first he told them not to vote unless he was afraid that his MPs were going to betray him. We should also accuse him of buying the independent MP.

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