Government Launches National Dialogue on Constitutional Reform

The government has embarked on a comprehensive national dialogue process on constitutional reform after President Hakainde Hichilema proactively expanded consultation to ensure broader public participation in shaping proposed amendments.

The decision to defer Bill No. 7 of 2025 demonstrates the government's responsiveness to calls from church leaders, civil society groups and citizens for more extensive engagement in the constitutional reform process.

Justice Minister Princess Kasune praised President Hichilema's leadership approach, highlighting his commitment to inclusive governance and democratic consultation.

"The President's leadership style, characterised by active listening and a willingness to engage with diverse perspectives, is a hallmark of his commitment to democratic principles," she said.

The minister emphasised that the government's approach would foster "an environment of trust, inclusivity, and collective ownership of national processes" while ensuring the constitution becomes a truly "people-driven document."

Following constructive guidance from the Constitutional Court, the government will establish a technical committee to conduct comprehensive nationwide consultations on the proposed amendments.

The progressive reforms under consideration include modernising constituency boundaries to address electoral fairness and significantly increasing representation for women, youth and people with disabilities in parliament.

The government has allocated a six-month consultation window to ensure thorough public engagement before determining the final shape of the constitutional amendments.

Ms Kasune emphasised the government's commitment to genuine dialogue, stating it would be counterproductive to predetermine outcomes before hearing comprehensively from citizens.

"We are taking concrete steps to ensure that all voices are heard and that the process is as participatory as possible," she assured the public.

The administration has positioned the consultation period as an opportunity to build national consensus around constitutional changes aimed at creating "a fairer and more inclusive Zambia."