President Hakainde Hichilema has signed into law Zambia’s Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025, urging citizens to embrace unity, dialogue and reconciliation as part of efforts to strengthen democracy.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Lusaka, Hichilema praised cross‑party support for the legislation and called on Zambians to view national debate as a tool for progress rather than division.
He said the constitutional amendment should not be framed as a victory for one party, one leader, one ethnic group or one church.
“It’s for the totality of Zambian citizens.”
He noted that dialogue requires compromise, citing his acceptance of the Technical Committee’s recommendation to retain by‑elections despite his earlier preference to abolish them.
The Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 was endorsed by parliamentarians on Monday marking a rare moment of political consensus in Zambia’s often polarised landscape.
The bill, passed with more than 82 percent support in Parliament, introduces sweeping reforms to Zambia’s governance framework.
Key provisions include expanding the number of elected Members of Parliament from 156 to 211, introducing proportional representation to enhance inclusivity for women, youth and persons with disabilities, harmonising terms of office for councils and parliament, and revising procedures for by‑elections and candidate nominations.
It also reduces professional requirements for senior government posts and clarifies succession rules for legal offices.
Supporters say the changes will modernise governance and broaden representation, though critics have warned of increased costs and challenges in implementation.
JN/APA