Lusaka – Today, Honourable Princess Kasune, Zambia’s Minister of Justice, presented a landmark roadmap for long-awaited constitutional amendments aimed at enhancing equity, accountability, and governance efficiency. Addressing Parliament on behalf of the UPND (United Party for National Development) administration, the Minister unveiled the detailed reform agenda, which is a central feature of the UPND’s 2021-2026 Manifesto.
The proposed amendments seek to address longstanding systemic imbalances in Zambia’s political and electoral framework, aiming to promote fairness in resource allocation, political representation, and electoral processes. These changes are designed to build a more inclusive democracy, where every Zambian citizen has a voice and is represented effectively. Public consultations will play a crucial role in shaping the reforms, with a finalization date set for July 25, 2025.
Phased Approach for Inclusive Participation
The reform process will unfold in several key phases to ensure transparency, broad-based participation, and public scrutiny. It kicks off immediately with today’s update in Parliament, followed by an Electoral Commission report on April 22. Drafting of the amendments will occur from April 23 to May 20, with public consultations taking place from May 21 to June 21. This phased approach will give all citizens an opportunity to provide input and ensure that the reforms are truly representative of Zambia’s diverse population.
Key Amendments Proposed
The proposed amendments focus on several critical areas that will enhance Zambia’s governance and democratic practices. Key reforms include:
- Constituency Delimitation: Amend Articles 58 and 68 to redraw constituency boundaries to ensure that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is distributed based on population size and needs, rather than a uniform allocation. This aims to address disparities in resource allocation where larger constituencies are currently receiving the same amount of funding as smaller ones.
- Enhanced Representation: Amend Articles 47(2) and 68 to guarantee seats in Parliament for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, ensuring that these groups have a direct voice in the legislative process.
- By-Election Reform: Amend Article 57 to eliminate the costly by-elections that have drained national resources. Since 2021, K264 million has been spent on by-elections alone, which could instead be allocated to development projects.
- MPs in Councils: Amend Article 153(2) to reintegrate Members of Parliament into local councils, fostering better synergy between legislative and local government institutions to drive more effective development at the grassroots level.
- Election Petition Clarity: Amend Articles 73(2), 101(5), and 103(2) to set clear timelines for the resolution of election petitions, ensuring that disputes are resolved within a maximum of 90 or 14 days.
- Harmonization of MP Terms: Amend Articles 81 and 266 to standardize the parliamentary term to five full years, ensuring a more consistent and predictable electoral cycle.
- Ministerial Vacancy Reform: Amend Article 116 to ensure that ministers vacate their offices 90 days before elections to prevent any misuse of ministerial positions in the lead-up to voting.
- Nominated MPs and Mayoral Terms: Amend Article 68(2)(b) to increase the number of nominated MPs beyond the current eight, and remove the two-term limit for mayors in Article 154(2)(b), allowing more flexibility in local governance.
- Secretary to Cabinet and Attorney-General Reforms: Amend Articles 176(3) and 178 to lower the experience requirements for certain positions, facilitating better access to key roles in government.
A New Era of Governance
Minister Kasune emphasized that these reforms are not just about legal changes—they are about fostering a culture of governance that reflects the values of equity, fairness, and accountability. She stressed that the reform process would involve the broad participation of all stakeholders, from political parties and youth groups to churches and academia, ensuring that the voices of all Zambians are heard.
The reforms are set to pave the way for a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive system of governance in Zambia. By addressing long-standing issues such as unequal resource distribution, underrepresentation of marginalized groups, and the wasteful practice of by-elections, these constitutional amendments aim to create a stronger, more resilient democracy.
As Zambia prepares for this historic transformation, the Justice Minister called on all citizens to engage in the consultation process and contribute to shaping the future of the nation. With a clear roadmap and a commitment to inclusivity, the UPND administration is poised to deliver a more equitable and accountable Zambia for generations to come.