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1st LD Writethru: Civil society grouping says won't accept partial amendment to Zambia's constitution

Xinhua, February 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

A coalition of civil society organizations pushing for the enactment of a new constitution in Zambia has said it will not accept any partial amendment to the constitution, the Zambia Daily Mail reported on Wednesday.

The Grand Coalition on the Constitution said it will engage other stakeholders, especially lawmakers, to stop the process.

New Zambian President Edgar Lungu, who promised to deliver a new constitution prior to last month's presidential election, recently said instead of having the entire constitution, the government would prefer amendments of some sections of the constitution.

But Father Leonard Chiti, the chairperson of the coalition said it was unfortunate that the new government was pushing for a partial amendment of the constitution.

"We are concerned with the recent contradictory statements coming out of President Lungu on this important matter," he was quoted as saying by the paper.

He said the government should not hide under the guise of having no resources, adding that there were several stakeholders that were willing to fund the process of having a new constitution through the holding of a referendum.

According to him, it was apparent that the government was not willing to hold a referendum as a proper roadmap approved by many stakeholders.

"We therefore wish to express our strongest reservations to implementing the road map in its current form and character," he added.

The coalition, he said, will continue with its "No Constitution, No Vote" campaign for leaders that were not committed to the delivery of a new constitution ahead of next year's general elections.

Controversy has surrounding the enactment of a new constitution since the time of late President Levy Mwanawasa who died in 2008. The new government of late President Michael Sata promised to deliver a new constitution within 90 days of winning the 2011 elections but failed to do so.

Zambia has had four constitution review processes since independence from Britain in 1964 and analysts have said the processes have been costly ventures to the country. Endi