Civil Society Endorses Constitution Amendment Process, Calls for Voter Registration Extension
By Francis Maingaila ♥️
Lusaka, Zambia24 – (November 10, 2025) -- A consortium of civil society organizations has endorsed the ongoing Constitution Amendment process and called on the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) to extend the voter registration exercise, allowing more citizens—including students currently sitting for examinations—to register before the deadline.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka on Monday, Arthur Muyunda of the Southern Africa Centre for Conservative Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) who read the statement on behalf of the consortium, said the organization fully supports the constitutional review process initiated by President Hakainde Hichilema, describing it as a critical opportunity to strengthen democracy, promote accountability, and address long-standing governance challenges.
The group commended the President for deferring the earlier Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 to allow for broader consultation and for appointing an inclusive technical committee comprising civil society representatives, the church, women, youth, political parties, and legal experts.
"The Constitution is the soul of our Republic—it defines who we are, what we stand for, and how we choose to govern ourselves," the consortium said.
"As Zambia continues to grow and evolve, our Constitution must reflect the aspirations and values of our people," Muyunda read the statement.
According to Muyunda, the consortium proposed several key reforms, including the implementation of the constitutional requirement for constituency delimitation supported by up-to-date population data, with new constituencies reserved for marginalized groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
"We also recommended reserving five parliamentary seats per province for women, three for youth, and two for persons with disabilities, alongside similar provisions at the local council level to promote inclusive governance," he disclosed.
He called for the repeal of Article 52(6), which cancels elections when a candidate withdraws, describing the clause as undemocratic and costly.
He said the consortium proposed that if a candidate resigns within 21 days before an election, only the affected political party should nominate a replacement, and the election should proceed as scheduled.
The consortium further recommended harmonizing definitions such as “youth,” “child,” and “public officer” to ensure consistency across laws and avoid contradictions with the Bill of Rights.
"We also proposed that Members of Parliament serve a maximum of two terms and that ministers be appointed from outside Parliament to enhance the separation of powers and strengthen legislative independence," he noted
While recognizing the importance of by-elections, Muyunda suggested the organizations emphasized that their frequency and cost must be reduced without undermining citizens’ right to directly elect their representatives.
Through monitoring constitutional consultation hearings across all nine provinces, the consortium observed strong citizen enthusiasm for reform, with participants raising both familiar and new issues.
Some interpreted the committee’s terms of reference narrowly, while others viewed them more broadly to include governance and electoral matters.
However, Muyunda said the limited timeframe for consultations restricted deeper engagement and the quality of submissions.
The organizations urged the technical committee and government to remain open to diverse views so that the final draft truly reflects the will of the Zambian people.
He called on all citizens, including members of the media, to participate actively when the committee holds its final sittings in Lusaka.
Turning to the voter registration exercise, Samuel Banda, Executive Director of Advocacy for National Development and Democracy (ANDD), said at the same briefing that the consortium is concerned that the ECZ is lagging behind its target of registering 3.5 million new voters by November 11, 2025.
"Current figures show that only about 1.2 million citizens have registered so far, including those replacing or transferring voter cards," he noted
The group urged ECZ to extend the registration period to give more citizens time to register, particularly Grade 12 candidates currently writing examinations.
"Public awareness has improved over time, and extending the exercise would consolidate this positive momentum," the consortium stated.
It further called on the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Department of National Registration, Passport, and Citizenship, to accelerate the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs), noting that delays in NRC distribution have prevented many eligible citizens from registering.
The consortium acknowledged that some individuals and organizations have chosen to boycott the constitutional consultations, saying their decision should be respected as a democratic right.
However, Banda urged all stakeholders to allow those who wish to participate to do so freely and without intimidation.
"Every responsible Zambian should respect the right of others to express their views on the Constitution," the statement read.
"Let us allow people to make independent decisions about their country’s future."
The civil society consortium reaffirmed its commitment to promoting inclusive participation in Zambia’s democratic processes, emphasizing that both the Constitution and the ballot box remain “the true voices of the people.”
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