Government Defends Bill 7,
By Francis Maingaila
LUSAKA, Sunday — Government has strongly defended Bill No. 7, dismissing claims that the proposed constitutional amendment is illegal and insisting the reform is aimed at expanding political participation for women, youths and persons with disabilities.
Speaking at a media briefing held Sunday afternoon at the UPND Party Headquarters in Lusaka, Chief Government Spokesperson and Minister of Information and Media Cornelius Mweetwa said Bill 7 would be tabled in Parliament on Monday for debate, determination and, if necessary, a vote.
Mweetwa said the Bill was anchored on inclusive democracy and sought to address long-standing demands for greater representation of marginalised groups in decision-making structures.
“For decades, women’s organisations and youth movements have been calling for increased participation in political decision-making. Bill 7 responds to those demands in practical terms,” he said.
He rejected assertions circulating on social media and in some public forums that Bill 7 violates the Constitution, challenging critics to cite specific constitutional provisions allegedly breached.
“There is nothing unconstitutional about Bill 7. Claims of illegality are politically motivated and should be dismissed,” Mweetwa said.
Key Proposed Reforms
According to the Minister, Bill 7 incorporates provisions previously agreed upon during earlier constitutional reform processes, including proposals contained in Bill 10 of 2021. These include:
Amendments to allow re-nomination where a candidate withdraws;
Provisions enabling election petitions to be heard and determined even after dissolution of Parliament;
Removal of time limitations on constituency delimitation;
Alignment with constitutional requirements for regular review of constituency boundaries to reflect population growth.
Mweetwa said contentious proposals raised during consultations—such as removing Parliament’s power to ratify public contracts and loans, abolishing the Industrial Relations Court, dissolving service commissions, and imposing restrictive conditions on civil servants seeking elective office—were rejected after public scrutiny.
“These proposals were found to be draconian and inconsistent with democratic principles, and Government rejected them,” he said.
Alleged Intimidation of MPs
The Minister also raised concern over what he described as intimidation of Members of Parliament ahead of the vote, alleging that some church and traditional leaders had threatened MPs with political consequences should they support Bill 7.
He said such actions undermined parliamentary independence and violated the spirit of democratic governance.
“Members of Parliament are protected by the Constitution and the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act. No one should threaten or intimidate them for exercising their legislative mandate,” Mweetwa said.
He further dismissed as false a list circulating online purporting to name MPs who would vote for the Bill, calling it a political gimmick intended to instil fear.
Consultation and Parliamentary Process
Mweetwa rejected claims that the Bill lacked adequate consultation, stating that citizens, civil society organisations, churches and individuals were invited to make submissions before Parliament through the Select Committee process.
He said the authoritative Select Committee report would be presented on the floor of the House on Monday, and that any proposed amendments should be channelled through Parliament.
“The report to be relied upon is the one that will be tabled in Parliament, not documents circulating on social media,” he said.
Focus on Inclusion
He emphasised that Bill 7 was primarily intended to correct structural barriers that prevent women, youths and persons with disabilities from effectively competing in elective politics.
“The majority of Zambians are women and young people. A democracy governed by the will of the majority must respond to their needs,” Mweetwa said.
He added that this was the first time in Zambia’s constitutional reform history that student movements and disability rights groups had openly supported a constitutional amendment alongside Government.
Bill 7 is expected to be debated in Parliament on Monday, with Government expressing confidence that the proposed reforms will be adopted through consensus among Members of Parliament.
© 2025 Francis Maingaila. All rights reserved.
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