Constitution Committee to Draft Amendments by End of November

The Committee’s spokesperson Dr Banda says the Bill will be informed by the citizens

The spokesperson for the Constitutional Amendment Technical Committee, Dr Landilani Banda has given a timeline for when the committee will make its recommendations.

 In an interview with ZNBC Dr Banda stated that “by the mid of November, towards there, we should be able to capture the views, the voices, the submissions of the people … we believe that towards the end of November, we should be equal to the task to deliver on the specific Terms of Reference, have a report and have a draft Bill.”

 Banda has also written an op-ed in the Daily Maverick outlining constitutional weaknesses to be addressed in the discussions. These include ministers remaining in office during elections, constituencies failing to reflect population growth, and unfair funding allocation. He also highlights insufficient guarantees for women, young people, and people with disabilities.

 During the process the Technical Committee will visit every province and the district in the country, listening to the views of the Zambian people. Banda has assured citizens that the process is “very inclusive, very consultative and very wide.” There will be consultations in physical settings as well as virtual submissions and a working website which will allow Zambians abroad be part of the process.

 Banda has helpfully advised citizens on how to be part of the process. “It’s very important for people to look out to different community radio stations, to different media houses within the specific provincial centres as to where the technical committee will be sitting.”

 As the Committee’s work begins across the country, Dr Banda’s message that the process “must belong to the people,” will resonate deeply.