Government has announced that a referendum to adopt the new constitution will be held next year.
Cabinet has since approved the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to amend Section 3 (1) of the Referendum Act of 1967 of the Laws of Zambia in order to bring it into conformity with Article 79 (3) of the Constitution of Zambia.
Briefing journalists at State House this afternoon after a Cabinet meeting, Acting Chief Government Spokesperson Vincent Mwale said that the inconsistency is that the constitution requires 50 percent of persons entitled to be registered as voters in a referendum, while the Referendum Act provides for all persons registered as voters in a referendum.
Mr. Mwale said that Minister of Justice Dr. Ngosa Simbyakula will issue a comprehensive ministerial statement in Parliament in due course.
Mr. Mwale stated that Cabinet has also approved the appointment of members of the Zambia Law Development Commission and that Dr. Simbyakula will announce the approved names of the commission.
And on Sunday evening, Chief Government Spokesperson Chishimba Kambwili told ZNBC that Government was contemplating combining a referendum with the 2016 general elections in order to cut on the costs.
Mr Kambwili said during a ‘Sunday Interview’ programme on ZNBC television that currently Government would twinned the holding of the referendum with the general elections.
He said holding of the referendum separately would have a negative impact because Zambians have just come out of the presidential by-election.
He said the money which the Government spent on the presidential by-election would have channelled to other service delivery.
Mr Kambwili who is also Information and Broadcasting Minister said the Government was in a hurry to enact the people driven Constitution as it was evidenced with the roadmap that was released recently.
The Minister said it was the duty of the current the Government to ensure that the Constitution which would be enacted carry the aspiration of the people.
Mr Kambwili said the Patriotic Front (PF) Government was ready to release the Constitution after reaching a Consensus on the submissions from people.
“Grevazio, we want the Constitution of Zambia to be driven by the people not the Government,” he said.
Mr Kambwili reminded the people that they should not panic over the Constitution because the country had no Constitution crisis as at now.
He said there was a Constitution in place but the Government would ensure that the people-driven constitution was enacted.
He wondered why some Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) were speaking loudly on the constitution when they were not representing the majority Zambians.
The minister said Members of Parliament (MPs) either from ruling and opposition had the correct reflection on the people not the NGOs.
He said parliament was biding to the representative of the people in all 150 constituencies not NGOs.
He said it would be wrong to call it a people Constitution when in actual fact was meant for people.
Mr Kambwili said it was totally wrong for the media in Zambia to be twisting facts.
He said the media should report responsibly and stop twisting facts which he said had the potential to take the country into turmoil.
“I want to see a media that will conform to three norms (Entertain, education and inform) and you know what happened in Rwanda, the genocide was caused by one irresponsible media and people died,” he said.
He said the media should promote unity instead of insults which he said was not good.
He said there was a lot of hate speech which was being preached in the media circles in the country.
He warned the media against irresponsible to reporting.
#prayforzambia
Jesus take the wheel
This sounds like a reasonable and relatively cost effective proposition. Some countries (both developed and developing) have used this method effectively. That way people vote for everything at once although it means the PF achieve the initial objective of going into the 2016 elections with the current constitution.
Game on ! Lungu has responded.
We know that some in the opposition wanted the referendum to fail.
Therefore use it as a platform to preach to the nation that Lungu failed to deliver the constitution in 2016.
Now is the time for the Opposition and PF to work together ensuring that the nation is galvanised for vote turn up in 2016.
Heavily, the onus is on PF.
Surely NO constitution under PF, just forget. The Zambian people again have been doubled up with Donchi Kubeba illusions.
Mr. Kambwili the new constitution is vital for correcting the economic innuendos your PF regime has created. Moreover, its PF that has perpetually embraced by elections & they have never ceased from time PF formed govt.
Due to PF’s deaf ears, corruption & poor planning, the country has NO FUEL but busy enticing by elections whilst UTH & other hospitals are medically EMPTY.
Mr Lungu was hospitalized in South Africa b’coz Zambian hospitals are dilapidated due to pathetic & visionless leadership in PF.
Now a $=K7,500 but PF is busy persecuting citizens with diverse views. Shame yous PF!
The Skeleton Key
~206~
THE ONE WHO OPPOSES SUCH A DECISION IS UP TO NO GOOD. HE/SHE IS A FAILURE AND WOULD LIKE TO SEE OTHERS FAIL TOO. THIS DECISION IS SENSIBLE!!
IF YOU WANT A SWIFT CONSTITUTION ENACTMENT BRING THE MONEY. IF YOU DON’T HAVE IT THEN SHUT UP AND LET E.L DRIVE!
There’s no bloody point now. The whole objective was to enact the new constitution before the next elections so that the 50+1 clause can be in place.
Ka Lungu ka chaya insamushi once again!!! He knows he can’t get more than 50% of the vote. Clinging to power at all costs. That’s why you can’t even pay attention to your own health until the presidency takes you to your grave
At long last, someone out there, appears to have a functioning brain.
The PF government is already dictating to the people of Zambia on when to hold a referendum. This is not democractic. If it’s a people driven constitution, the people should decide when it shall be held. Cost is not A factor here. The important thing is that the next election should be held under a New constitution. People will be very confused to go to an election where they have to decide on four very important issues. In fact they could be mor e than four because we do not know yet how many questions the referendum will be asking? Choosing a councillor, an MP, a president and to answer the referendum questions all at once, No that will be too much. Let’s hold a referendum before the general election, SIMPLE.
@Nubian now you want Jesus take the wheel, what will happen with cross?
We deserve better as Zambians this song of Government as no money bla bla when it has money for costly by election.This stupit PF think we are dull.They want to use state resources to finance 2016 campaigns through the so called referendum which my be administered by corrupt ECZ.They want to mis inform Zambians just like Kaunda through the late Mainza Chona went in the villages to cheat Zambians ,yet they were indosing the party state.Let the Constitution be determined by Zambians and will not allow the election to affect the content of the constitution.If PF have failed to source for funds for fear of 50 + 1 threash hold.Its fine they should admit that they have failed to follow there own road map as UPND we shall implement our road map,after 2016.We shall beat PF even under the current
really we have an incompetent leadership in country. This simply means we are going no where. How does this Kabwili talk about the referendum during general elections. When the whole idea is to have a new constitution before the 2016 elections. PF what is it that you can get right kashi? Look you are getting the kwacha down new slopes, it has never ever been. The prices of food is getting out of hand. Just in case you have forgotten, 2 Kg of sugar before PF in 2011 was at K6. Now the same pack of sugar is at K16. That is over 120% increase in a short period of four years. Really are you pro-poor or it is just another Dochi Kubeba scheme of yours?
YOU DON’T ENACT THE CONSTITUTION FOR THE SAKE OF THE ONE CLAUSE “50+1”. THAT IS JUST A PART OF THE MANY CLAUSES IN THE CONSTITUTION. BE WISE!
Overly ambitious ain’t we PF? I know thinking is not a strength that can be attributed to PF but in this case i would highly recommend some kind of brain function.
Rubbish, who cares about this???
@ 2 Vodka
No, not Vodka off course!
God will punish you guys, you think we don’t know what you are up to. Not all Zambians areas dull as you are. You are avoiding the 50 plus 1 percent.
Exactly, these morons are avoiding the 50 plus one so the country can continue to be governed by a minority bunch of crooks, thieves and swindlers. They think they smart.
You’re absolutely right!
PF are scared of their own fears & they know very well that, with the 50+1 in place, they CANNOT win the elections.
For now they want to prepare for rigging, while on the other hand they are crying out loud noises over money. PF squnderlized every loan they took & have achieved nothing but brokenness. They are liars & corrupt individuals who have no heart or sympathies to the majority poor Zambians.
PF is Pathological Failures who are the worst party to have formed govt in the history of Zambia. They have PhDs in lying & non production, yapping day in & night out is all these BANDITS know!
PF CANNOT be trusted, if gullible cadres & primitive ones wants to do so, its their perils.
The Skeleton Key
~206~
So do you think HH will be able to obtain the 50+1 in the whole of Zambia in the next elections? what happens when no presidential candidates obtains the 50+1? Will we have a rerun of the elections between the two top candidates or what? Will the rerun not be just as expensive as a by election?
Sometimes you have to be pragmatic. The horse has already bolted. This like the sorry saga of the DPP is Sata’s fault as he failed to enact the new constitution earlier. It would be very expensive to now have a referendum when the country is going to the polls in 2016 after just having a presidential by-election.
No no the 50% plus 1 vote does not require a referendum. Only Part 3 of the Constitution where you have the Bill of Rights requires a referendum. The 50% plus 1 vote can stil be presented to Parley and your Ps can decide on that law. So stop commenting if you know not what you want to say.
HERE WE GO AGAIN PLEASE HELP US FOR WHAT.
WHEN WE SAY RB IS RULING THIS IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT .ONE OF THE BAGGAGE FOR RB AS ACTING INFORMATION MINISTER DEAR ME ANY WAY
BREAKING NEWS AND THE VERY TRUTH !!!!!
NEVERS MUMBA PLANNING TO EXPEL RUPIAH BANDA WITH HIS DOUBLE SIM MEMBERS (RB’S FOLLOWERS)
HE HAS INVITED 2 PIPO FROM EACH DISTRICT FOR A MINI CONVENTION
TREACHEROUS NEVERS WANT TO ILLEGALLY AMEND MMD CONSTITUTION THAT WILL SEE HIM AS A SOLE CANDIDATE FOR 2016 .
HE WANTS THIS SO THAT WHEN HE MAKES AN ALLIANCE WITH PF HE WILL BE A VP
SO GENUINE PF WHERE ARE YOU WHEN THESE BASTARDS FROM MMD ARE THE ONE RB IS GIVING ACTING GOVT SPOKESPERSON
.
SOON RB WILL BE EXPELLED BY NEVERS ,EVERY DISTRICT HAS SENT TWO PIPO TO ATTEND MUMBAS MINI CONVENTION
RB 4…
A very sensible decision to have the ref concide with the elections as it will cut down on cost. Those of you in the UK will remember that such a thing was done…EU elections plus a referendum to change the voting system to AV which was wonderfully defeated lol. Some of us have already read the constitution and look forward to it being passed. I hope the people of Zambia go out and vote in this referendum as it will change the way our country is governed for the good.
THIS SHOULD COME TO A NO NO NO NO
RB CALLING SHOTS NWAY MUMBA GO AHED AND EXPEL HIM PLEASE .
THAT WILL BE A ONE WAY TO AVOID 50+ 1 %
THEY WANT TO CONFUSE ILLITERATE VOTERS TO VOTE FOR PF WE SAY NO .
RB WHAT BY ALL COST WIN THE PRESIDENCY
MUMBA TELL THE MMD MEMBERS FROM ALL DISTRICTS TO QUICKLY EXPEL THIS MAN AND CALL UPON ALL PF GENUINE MEMBERS TO STAND UP FOR YOUR PARTY BEFORE ITS SWALLOWED BY RB .
SICK PRESIDENT AND SICK ECONOMY
We told you that RB was the real president…you insulted us…ati ifintu ni lungu. Dont complain now. Two is better than one if one falls he will be lifted up lol
Killing “multiple birds” with one stone. SENSE!
it just means we wont have a new constitution till after 2016.and the simple majority win comes into play once more.!!!!!
@ 8 Mutanga
Yes. Politicians, at least those in PF, are not naïve to reality. They would rather not take too many chances. It’s much more difficult to rig an election in a re-run! How astute! How mathematically minded they are!
In the absence of a perfect solution I would say this is a genuine compromise. The country did not expect to hold such a protracted and expensive by election. I hope the PF is committed to this. I guess the only thing they can do for now is pass a bill that would temporarily put in place the electoral rules and how the next president will be elected. For the first time in a long time I actually agree with the PF position.
These are very reasonable and objective decisions being propagated by this lovely and hardworking government of HEEL
Ati hardworking ECL, are u certain about that? My Foot!
Which means PF has failed to produce a new people driven constitution BEFORE 2016 General Elections.
For how long are you going to sustain your lies ? Why talk of saving money when donors said they will fund the process ?
Only the gullible will vote for PF under the present constitution.
This is innovative, creative and makes good use of money.
That’s the way to go.
Something is not very clear here! Does it mean the 2016 elections are going to be held under the current constitution and the critical issues, among them 50%+1 that were to be presented to Parliament for amendment will not be looked at in readiness for 2016 elections? Please let us have that comprehensive statement in Parliament as soon as possible.
@ 13 Zambia ni yatu!
It is impliedly so. You only need to read between lines! Welcome to Zambia, the throbbing heart of Africa.
I am a happy Zambian!!!
BY the General election time PF will have delivered the constitution in 90days. WE are vindicated
MUMBA GO AHEAD AND EXPEL RB PLIZIIIII
MINI CONVENTION YABA
zambians are fools. PF is trying to avoid the 50 + 1, they wat a minority president who only beats his rival by 27000 votes less than 1%. Zambians time to stand up and forget your stupid peaceful tah whilst a few pipo remain in power to loot the coffers. No enough is enough. Lets take to the streets and show that power lies the people. ATA LUNGU FOOL
You people, all you are talking about is the 50+1 but do actually understand what the 50+1 entails?
@ 17.1 MWINE MUNZI
You are not saying that the 50% + 1 must be discarded, are you?
Meaning the 2016 elections will be held using the current constitution and after elections , the new parliament will sit and ractify the referendum results that will culminate into a new constitution.
The questions are ;
A) after enacting the new constitution in 2016 , will parliament be dissolved to have elections be held on the new constitution?
B) what is the post roadmap after having elections for the referendum ?
C) will the president upon being sworn in appoint a cabinet ministers or shall wait until the new constitution is enacted.
D) what will happen if the threshold is not achieved? Are will going to maintain the current constitution ?
This is food for thought that need reflecting on seriously to avoid further delays in enacting constitution in 2016 after the…
The PamaFi (PF) government wants to have the cake and eat it as well !!
(1) They really do want to deliver the people-driven constitution before the 2016 general elections; but there is a catch- the people-driven constitution contains the clause on 50 + 1 and the one on presidential running-mate. If they delivered this people-driven constitution before the election, it means the PF would not make it because they have never won an election with 50 + 1 per cent votes!!
(2) They want to stay in power longer than they deserve to. Hence, the reason they want to go to another election where they can still stay in power with a simple majority of votes. They have never obtained above 51 per cent of votes in an election!!!!!
So, it’s clear, they want to win the 2016 elections at all…
at all costs!!! They do not care about the poor people of Zambia languishing in poverty!! They only care about filling their pockets from government coffers.
Kambwili is saying people shouldn’t be in a hurry to obtain the people-driven constitution? The question is why are they NOT IN A HURRY to deliver this constitution which they had promised to deliver within 90-days of taking up government office?? Why are they willing to stick to the old colonial constitution, which they had condemned time and time again when they were in opposition?? Zambians have been taken for a ride for 50 years….people come into govt to rip where they didn’t sow and once they become rich, they forget about the people who voted for them! They simply r.pe mother Zambia, zip it up and forget about her……
Stop complaining Zambians this is the PF you wanted and blindly want to follow. More chaos to come.
@ Skeleton Key
Why do you like commenting even on things that you dont understand? You are very irritating and if you think your NGO party can win an election in Zambia, prepare to come and wipe my fat ass!
skeleton key, Nostradamus, and wanzelu will always comment against what the PF government proposes. Of late they have been joined by a Nevers Mumba supporter,”lets chase the heavy baggage”. Don’t worry about them their mind set is of being in opposition all the time. They will oppose any thing as long as it is not coming HH. if HH had issued the same statement you would have heard how they would have changed their tune about the 50+1
Let the UPND whinging, excuses for their next loss and blame games begin.
Don’t you think now is the time to change your strategy and leadership within your ranks? Just saying
WHY SHOULD UPND CHANGE ITS LEADERSHIP WHEN YOU EVEN KNOW THAT HE WON THE ELECTION SHONSE INKONKO NE MBWA MU PF KNEW AND UP TO NOW KNOW.
HEY AM NOT A SUPPORTER OF NEVERS NEVER IN MY DREAMS .
DONT SUPPORT EL,RB,HH, AND THESE 2 MAFI SMALL PARTIES OF NEKA PARTIES OF MULONGOTI ,FR BWALYA ETC
AM JUST A PROUD ZAMBIAN WHO COMMENT ON WHATEVER IS RIGHT FOR MY COUNTRY .
YOU WANT ME TO BE LICKING LUNGUS ALCOHOL FEACES OR MBEBA FEACES ,SICK ECONOMY .
HAVE CN RB HOW FAST IS SWALLOWING YOU PF LIKE A ROCKET AND YOU THERE LICKING THEIR ASSES .
NEVERS IS ABOUT TO EXPEL THIS FOOL RB
MINI CONVENTION FROM 17TH -19TH MARCH
EVIL PASTOR
VOTE PE SABI OR PA LI KOLWE IN 2016 OR PA NGHOMBE BANE
MEANING LUAPULA /NOTHERN POWER OR PA COW NOT PALI JOHN WHITE AWE MBEBA AWE AWE .
RB PRESIDENT…
I dont trust PF because they are professional liars.They lied that they will give us the constitution in 90 days now its after 5yrs and they have never apologised.They tell lies everyday even about health of the presidents.
That was the reason why alot of us wanted Lungu to come in a casket.
He means evil. but the most conforting thing is that Lungu will die very soon.
Looks like YALI was right and has out – smart these big NGOs. Today a me,ber of the Oasis Forum having a beer was even boasting that they met the Minister of Justice to reconsider this position so the young ones don’t look intelligent…
Sata lost elections 3 times and his supporters though disappointed remained calm and accepted the leadership against their choice they never expressed intense daily hatered towards Mwanawasa or RB. The intense hate i see from UPND just makes me wonder under what environment this country would have been had HH won the elections. Viva and all the way Lungu. Nothing you and your Govt shall do will sound or look good in the eyes of these shameless haters. This is a very good move for any one with sense. UPND its about time you recovered from the election shock and accepted that Lungu is president. Your wish for him to return in a casket from S.A is evil and God’s plans are not yours. Your casket may just be ready soon before Lungu’s. Do not dare GOD. It may just be you to go long before…
@ Disgusted Zambian,
As an independent observer (none-partisan), I concur with you on some political parties’ hatred for other parties. Truthfully speaking if you read all the blogs you will discover that PF is the master-minder of hatred for UPND. PF supporters have remained in the campaign mode saying unprintables against UPND and especially its president and then turns around and blames the victim. The problem is that some UPND supporters have been reactionary and have been responding to these insults. PF’s stance is driven by fear of being dislodged from power in the wake of the popularity UPND has garnered lately. UPND need to ignore the rantings of PF, they are the last kicks of a dying horse.
Zambians, hope is a good breakfast but a bad supper. Beware of “deliberate-delay-tactics”.This is Africa, a continent of ‘buying time’.If it flops the govt will ‘put it off until further notice’ and use the current one ‘indefinitely’. It doesn’t matter how much it will spend, for it will remove your ‘yoke’. How much money vanishes unaccounted for in scandals? Why put the cart before the horse? Colonial constitutions have downtrodden africans to the extent that they can’t distinguish ‘rights from favours’, Do not be blindfolded by elections.Freedom first. You will only realise what I mean once you cross that bridge. Elections have been there since independence where each successive govt leaves you worse off than the previous one. ( Logical criticism highly welcomed).
Look here, there is something wrong with both the Referendum Act and the Constitution. In one you require 50% of people entitled to register as voters, if people do not want to register as voters should the rest of us be held hostsge?
In the other you require all persons registered as voters,. This is one area where our founding fathers failed us and we are paying the price while they retire.
Those of you ranting about 50 +1, can yo Upnd win 2016 elections above that clause. Only on muvi opinion poll maybe but realistically speaking they can’t. How would you even handle a situation where by yu win but fail to meet 50% and after a re run yu lose. Think ahead of yo brains chaps. Threshhold of 50%+1 is unnecessary because we will just be spending on elections reruns a huge cost that can be channeled into other projects.
sponge bob that has been my point exactly. in a situation were no single candidates garners the 50+1, do we go for a re run of the elections between the two top candidates or what? If we go for a re run between the top two candidates, will that not be as expensive as holding a by election? UpDn supporters please enlighten me on this point.
Voice of reason and if one is not seeing sense in this then, kaya…
I have held this view and the missed opportunity of the presidential by election could have been another opportunity for a referendum. What this means is that all future elections will be based on the new constitution. Its the cost-benefit principle or maximum benefit because no donor would have provided funding before 2016 – the Americans and the Brits said NO. Other western countries always follow the lead of the two countries.
There you are- you wanted a referendum- you have one. Now let us keep mute and wait for 2016! Truth be said, the current constitution is not even a good document. It does not protect hardworking Zambians from looters but basically limits the powers of the President!
Why cant Vincent Mwale be the Government Spokes Person instead of neckless kambwili?
It is Zambian to e F00LED. In all areas and all the time.
@ Disgusted Zambian,
As an independent observer (none-partisan), I concur with you on some political parties’ hatred for other parties. Truthfully speaking if you read all the blogs you will discover that PF is the master-minder of hatred for UPND. PF supporters have remained in the campaign mode saying unprintables against UPND and especially its president and then turns around and blames the victim. The problem is that some UPND supporters have been reactionary and have been responding to these insults. PF’s stance is driven by fear of being dislodged from power in the wake of the popularity UPND has garnered lately. UPND need to ignore the rantings of PF, they are the last kicks of a dying horse.
I am a bit confused. Normally a referendum has a simple no question that must be answered. In this case what is going to be the question that the Zambian people must agree or disagree to.
try to go deep this thing that you are bring it is not clear to some people. can you translate it in local languages so that some can under stand. it has main complicated inside.Try to air in all tribes.
thank you