28/11/2025
KUNO TUFWEKO
👇👇👇👇*Understanding Bill 7: Why Citizens Across Zambia Are Saying NO*
1. *Bill 7 Gives the President Automatic Power in Parliament*
▪️ The Bill allows the President to gain a two-thirds majority through delimitation, not through the people’s vote.
▪️ This means laws including constitutional amendments can be changed at the President’s discretion.
2. *It Adds 50 Presidential Appointees to Parliament*
▪️ Bill 7 would give the President 50 additional nominated MPs, who are not elected by citizens.
▪️ This weakens the voice of elected representatives and strengthens the hand of the executive.
3 *. It Undermines Checks and Balances*
▪️ Zambia’s democracy is built on balance between the Executive, Parliament, and Judiciary.
▪️ Bill 7 shifts this balance by giving the Executive too much influence, making Parliament less independent.
4. *It Reduces the Power of Ordinary Citizens*
▪️ By expanding Parliament through presidential appointments, the Bill dilutes the value of the people’s vote.
▪️ Citizens want leaders chosen through ballots, not appointments.
5. *It Threatens Multiparty Democracy*
▪️ With an engineered two-thirds majority, the ruling party can dominate Parliament.
▪️ This makes it difficult for the opposition to provide oversight or block harmful laws.
6. *It Raises Fears of One-Man Rule*
▪️ Many citizens fear that Bill 7 opens the door to unchecked presidential authority, especially as it comes close to the 2026 elections.
▪️ The Bill appears designed to secure political power rather than strengthen national governance.
7. *National Opposition Is Not Tribal — It Is Patriotic*
▪️ People from all provinces are saying NO.
▪️ Civil society, student unions, churches, professionals, and ordinary citizens agree that the Bill is bad for democracy, not because of tribe, but because of principle.
8. *The Timing Raises Serious Questions*
▪️ Introducing such a major constitutional change when the country is fa