Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has deferred the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025, citing the need for broader stakeholder engagement following public criticism over the reform process.
In a statement issued Thursday, State House spokesperson Clayson Hamasaka said the decision was made after further consultations with church leaders and more than 30 civil society organisations earlier this week.
He said Hichilema has instructed Justice Minister Princess Kasune to liaise with stakeholders to revise the roadmap guiding the constitutional reform.
“This decision underscores the government’s commitment to fostering a participatory and consensus-driven process in shaping transformative legislative reforms,” Hamasaka said.
The controversial Bill proposes, among other measures, to expand the National Assembly and increase the number of MPs directly nominated by the President.
While government has defended the proposal as a corrective measure to address representational and technical gaps in the current framework, critics view it as a potential overreach that could undermine democratic accountability.
Civil society groups, legal scholars and opposition figures have voiced concern over the process’s perceived lack of transparency and the limited scope for meaningful public input.
The government’s reform drive has also renewed debate about the balance of power between the executive and legislature.
JN/APA