Bill 7 Unconstitutional



Oasis Forum warns the law undermines democracy and calls for public vigilance as President assents to the amendment.

By Francis Maingaila ♥️ 
Lusaka, Zambia24 – (18-12-2025) --- Oasis Forum Acting Chairperson Lungisani Zulu has described the Constitution (Amendment) Bill No. 7 as unconstitutional, warning that its enactment undermines Zambia’s democratic framework. Zulu said President Hakainde Hichilema assented to the Bill into law following its passage by the National Assembly on 15th December 2025.

Chairperson Lungisani Zulu told journalists in a statement that the Forum’s immediate concern was how the Government would implement the law arising from Bill 7. 

He said citizens should closely monitor processes such as sequencing, constituency delimitation, subsidiary legislation, and the exercise of expanded nomination powers.

Zulu said the Forum maintained that Bill 7 was conceived and processed in violation of constitutional requirements. 

He said the process disregarded binding rulings of the Constitutional Court and failed to meet the threshold of meaningful public participation.

Zulu said legislation arising from an unlawful process could not be legitimised by parliamentary numbers or political justification. 

He said “no amount of political packaging or numerical advantage in Parliament” could correct what the Forum regarded as foundational illegality.

On parliamentary reforms, Zulu said the expansion of Parliament without transparent constituency delimitation weakened accountability. 

He said the increase in the number of Members of Parliament risked entrenching political control and undermined Parliament’s role as a guardian of democracy.

Zulu said the Forum believed abuses of power were more likely to occur during the implementation6g of laws than at the point of enactment. He therefore urged citizens to remain vigilant as Bill 7 is operationalised.

Zulu said the Oasis Forum remained committed to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and good governance, which he said were essential to Zambia’s democratic future and the welfare of its citizens.
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