President Hichilema receives report on constitution amendment

President Hakainde Hichilema has received the draft bill and final report produced by the Technical Committee appointed on 2 October 2025 to consult citizens on proposed constitutional amendments. The committee delivered the documents during a session held at State House, where its vice chairperson outlined the work completed over the past two months. The chairperson was absent due to a bereavement, and the vice chair presented the report on his behalf.

The committee reported that it carried out both physical and virtual sittings across all provinces and districts, receiving submissions in English, local languages and sign language. Written submissions were delivered through district drop-boxes and online platforms, including the committee’s website and official email channels. The vice chair told the President that Zambians in the diaspora also participated through online platforms.

According to the committee, a total of more than 11,860 submissions were collected. The team noted that this was among the highest ever recorded in a constitutional review or amendment process, with the only higher figure reaching about 12,000 in a previous multi-year exercise. The vice chair stated that the committee concluded its work in two months and described this as an example of efficiency, cost management and effective coordination.

He said the committee worked independently from the start, adopted its own rules of procedure, and conducted deliberations without interference from any institution. The members held extensive debates and consultations, which the vice chair said reflected the independence and diversity of the team. Traditional leaders, professionals, persons with disabilities, students, labour representatives, business groups and religious bodies all participated in the process.

The committee thanked citizens for contributing to the exercise and expressed appreciation for logistical support from government departments, councils and security wings. The vice chair highlighted assistance from the Zambia Air Force, which provided transport to allow the team to move between districts efficiently. The committee also noted that its proceedings were televised from the beginning to the end, and said this increased transparency and public visibility.

President Hichilema thanked the committee for completing the assignment within the set timeframe and described the work as efficient in both time and resource use. He said the team had demonstrated prudence and displayed a work ethic that aligned with the administration’s expectations. He noted that the number of submissions collected in two months was comparable to those gathered over a two-year period in past constitutional processes.

The President also thanked the support teams from various ministries, Cabinet Office, councils and Smart Zambia, which provided the online platforms used in the submission process. He acknowledged the contribution of the Zambia Air Force and the police, as well as the traditional leaders who took part in both the committee and the consultations.

Hichilema said the next steps would follow established parliamentary and administrative procedures. He emphasised that the process would proceed without any shortcuts, noting that the constitution belongs to the people and must therefore be handled in a way that respects proper channels. He stated that recent meetings held with civil society and other stakeholders were part of listening to citizens and did not alter the committee’s work.

The President encouraged the committee to remain available for follow-up engagement, saying that parliamentary select committees or administrative bodies may require technical clarification as the process moves to the next stage. He asked the members to take a short rest while remaining on standby for any questions that may arise during formal procedures.

Hichilema also expressed condolences to the committee chairperson for the loss of his son, noting that the bereavement occurred while the committee was carrying out a national assignment. He said he would personally call the chair to convey condolences on behalf of the government.

As the session closed, the President thanked the committee for what he described as national service, telling members that any citizen who followed the process would recognise the effort involved. He said the committee had shown that national tasks can be completed within clear timelines when teams are focused and supported by the appropriate institutions.

The handover marks the beginning of the next stage of constitutional consideration, which will involve examination of the draft bill and public submissions through the formal parliamentary process.