Скачать или смотреть CSOs Oppose Resurgence of Bill 7

CSOs Oppose Resurgence of Bill 7

A consortium of nine civil society organisations has strongly opposed the reported move to reintroduce Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7 in Parliament, warning that such an attempt would undermine the rule of law and erode public trust.

In a joint statement issued on 11th September 2025, the CSOs recalled that President Hakainde Hichilema, during a meeting at State House on 24th June, had assured them that Bill 7 would be subjected to broad consultation before any further steps were taken. The President subsequently deferred the Bill, and days later, on 27th June, the Constitutional Court declared it unconstitutional due to inadequate public consultation.

“The Constitutional Court’s judgement is binding and final. Any effort to revive Bill 7 without addressing the defects identified by the Court undermines Zambia’s democratic foundations,” the statement reads in part.

The organisations expressed concern over recent remarks attributed to Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti and Government Chief Whip Stafford Mulusa suggesting that Bill 7 may return to Parliament in the coming session.

They argued that constitutional reform must be inclusive, transparent, and above partisan interest, especially as the country heads into an election period.

Among their key concerns are:

The lack of wide consultation with citizens.

The dangers of fast-tracking constitutional change during a competitive electoral season.

The complexity of several proposed provisions that require sober consensus-building.

Amendments that do not provide substantive solutions to existing problems.


“Constitutional reform is a sacred public responsibility that belongs to the people of Zambia,” the statement emphasised.

The CSOs urged President Hichilema to use the opening of Parliament on Friday to reassure citizens that future constitutional reforms will be broad-based, participatory, and in line with the Constitutional Court’s guidance.

The statement was signed by Chapter One Foundation on behalf of eight other organisations including ActionAid Zambia, the Law Association of Zambia, and the Civil Society for Poverty Reduction.