Hichilema Says Bill 7 Vote Affirms Zambia’s Democracy

President Hakainde Hichilema has welcomed the parliamentary vote that has taken Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 into Second Reading, describing the outcome as a defining democratic moment and urging the nation to move forward in unity. He emphasized that Bill 7 represents a crucial step in strengthening Zambia’s democratic framework.

In a statement issued on his official Facebook page, President Hichilema said Bill 7 had been one of the most topical and consequential national issues in recent times, noting that it had tested both the strength of Zambia’s democracy and the unity of its people, particularly highlighting the importance of Bill 7 in this process.

“Bill 7 has been one of the most topical and consequential issues of our time, one that has tested the strength of our democracy and the unity of our nation,” President Hichilema stated, reaffirming the significance of Bill 7 in shaping the future of Zambia.

He said the process leading to the Second Reading vote was characterised by active engagement, including lobbying and robust debate, with differing views expressed across the political and civic spectrum.

“Throughout this process, we all engaged in lobbying and robust debate; we agreed and, at times, disagreed,” he said, adding that such exchanges were an inherent feature of democratic governance.

The President said that democratic processes must ultimately lead to a clear outcome, and that the Second Reading vote represented such a resolution.

“As is the nature of any democratic process, such engagement must ultimately lead to a resolution,” he said.

President Hichilema described the outcome as a victory for the public and for democratic institutions, emphasising that Members of Parliament acted as representatives of the people.

“The greatest winners in this process are the people of Zambia and our democracy itself,” he said. “The people have spoken through their duly elected representatives, and as a nation committed to democratic principles, we must respect both the outcome and the collective resolve it represents.”

The National Assembly voted 131 in favour, two against, with no abstentions, to take Bill 7 into Second Reading. Zambia’s Parliament has a total of 164 Members, meaning the Constitution requires at least two thirds of all Members, or 110 votes, for a constitutional amendment Bill to pass this stage. The recorded vote exceeded that requirement.

President Hichilema used the occasion to call for a shift in national focus toward development, urging cooperation across political and social divisions.

“Now is the time to turn our full attention to national development,” he said. “We must do so as one people; Government, the opposition, civil society, and citizens alike, moving forward together in one direction.”

He concluded by reaffirming Zambia’s national motto and calling for collective effort toward economic and social progress.

“United by our shared destiny, let us reaffirm our commitment to One Zambia, One Nation, and work collectively for the progress and prosperity of our country,” President Hichilema said.

Bill 7 will now proceed to the Committee Stage of Parliament, where Members will examine its provisions in detail before it returns to the House for Third Reading, which will again require the support of not less than two thirds of all Members of Parliament.