24/06/2025
UPND APPEALS FOR CROSS-PARTY SUPPORT AS CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILL NO. 7 HEADS TO PARLIAMENT
Lusaka, June 24, 2025 — The United Party for National Development (UPND) has issued a strong call to all Members of Parliament to support Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025, which is scheduled to be presented before the National Assembly.
In a statement released on Tuesday, UPND Media Director Mark Simuuwe urged MPs across political divides to put national interest above partisan politics and unite in endorsing the Bill, which is part of the constitutional reform roadmap spearheaded by Minister of Justice Princess Kasune.
Mr. Simuuwe has described the Bill as a landmark piece of legislation that seeks to enhance democratic governance, equitable development, and inclusive representation in Zambia’s political system.
“This Bill is not about advancing the interests of a particular political party. It is about advancing the interests of the Zambian people,” Mr. Simuuwe said. “We are calling on all MPs to act with unity and foresight, and help shape a more representative, fair, and inclusive democracy.”
The proposed amendments include the creation of new parliamentary constituencies, intended to reflect the country's changing population dynamics and improve proportional representation.
According to Mr. Simuuwe, this would result in increased allocations under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), leading to greater investment in health, education, road infrastructure, and economic empowerment, particularly for women and youth.
The Bill also seeks to improve gender and social inclusion by guaranteeing a minimum of 20 women in Parliament, while also providing space for the representation of youths and persons with disabilities. Political parties would be able to nominate these representatives without requiring them to contest through the open electoral process.
In a bid to reduce public expenditure on elections, the Bill proposes that when a seat held by a councillor, council chairperson, or mayor becomes vacant, the sponsoring party may nominate a replacement without the need for a by-election. Similarly, should a Member of Parliament’s seat fall vacant, the sponsoring party would be allowed to appoint a replacement, though this provision would not apply to independent MPs, whose vacancies would still trigger by-elections.
“This approach will help save significant public resources, which can be redirected to priority areas such as free education, social protection, and youth skills development,” Mr. Simuuwe said.
Another key reform included in the Bill is the requirement for ministers to vacate office 90 days before general elections, aimed at preventing the misuse of public resources and ensuring a level playing field for all candidates. The Bill also introduces legal clarity by defining terms such as “child,” “youth,” and “adult” more precisely, which Mr. Simuuwe said would address recurring challenges in legal and educational contexts.
Mr. Simuuwe also highlighted a judicial correction in the Bill that addresses an omission in the current Constitution. By including the term “determine” alongside “hear” in references to court proceedings, the amendment ensures that legal matters are resolved rather than left open to interpretation.
In cases where a parliamentary seat becomes vacant within 180 days of a general election, the Bill proposes that the seat remain vacant until elections are held, in recognition of the practical limitations posed by existing electoral timelines.
The UPND maintains that the reforms outlined in Bill No. 7 are essential to building a stronger and more inclusive democracy, and has urged all MPs to support its passage.
“History will not judge us by the positions we held, but by the decisions we made when leadership was required,” Mr. Simuuwe noted.
© UPND Media Team
