Govt urged to provide roadmap for constitutional reforms before year-end, 2023

United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ) has called on government to provide a roadmap for constitutional reforms before the end of 2023.

Party president, Charles Chanda, said that the urgency for this action was necessary to ensure a clear and clean constitution was in place, allowing for credible elections in the future.

“As it stands, the current constitution appears to lean towards the ruling government, compromising the fairness of our democratic processes,” he said in Lusaka on Monday.

Chanda emphasised that constitutional reforms were critical to protect the rights and aspirations of all Zambians.

“Our nation deserves a constitution that reflects the will of the people, one that guarantees equal representation, and upholds the principles of transparency, accountability justice,” he said.

Chanda said in recent years, several countries had undertaken constitutional reforms to strengthen their democratic systems.

He said examples such as South Africa’s post-apartheid and Kenya’s constitutional review in 2010 served as beacons of hope for democratic progress on the African continent.

“These countries have set a precedent, showing that constitutional reforms can lead to the establishment of inclusive governance systems citizens,” Chanda said.

Chanda said without a definitive roadmap for constitutional reforms, the focus would shift towards the 2026 general elections, potentially leaving little room for comprehensive and meaningful changes.

He urged government to engage all stakeholders, including civil society organisations, legal experts, and the opposition, in the constitutional reform process.

WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.