Zambia to go ahead with referendum on constitution in August

The Zambian government on Wednesday said it will hold a referendum on constitution amendments alongside this August's general elections as planned.

Vice President Inonge Wina made the remarks when responding to questions in parliament on whether the government would consider postponing the referendum.

The date for the referendum on a Bill of Rights as amendments to the constitution has been disputed by some.

Wina said holding of the referendum alongside the August 11 general elections was the only prudent way of having a complete people-driven constitution.

She added holding the two events at the same time would also save state fund.

She said the country's electoral body finalizing modality of conducting the referendum, promising that the general public would be adequately sensitized on the content of the Bill of Rights.

The Law Association of Zambia, an association representing lawyers in Zambia, has said holding the referendum alongside the elections would not yield "desired results" because people would be voting along partisan lines.

It has also said there were little sensitization on the proposed Bill of Rights. Endit