Zambia Embarks on Historic, People-Driven Constitutional Amendments
10/31/2025
Friday, October 31, 2025
By: Technical Committee Secretariat
The process to amend the Constitution of Zambia is underway. This follows the appointment of the Technical Committee to undertake a consultative and inclusive process of reviewing provisions of the Constitution of Zambia, that may require reforms. The process places citizens at the center of making the country's supreme law.
This process is intended to strengthen constitutional democracy, enhance citizen participation and ensure that the constitution reflects the aspirations, diversity and evolving governance needs of the Zambian people.
"Take into account the operating environment, and recognize that there are different interests, backgrounds, and perspectives," the President urged, emphasizing the need for sensitivity and inclusivity that would guide the entire process,” President Hichilema said when he swore in the 25-member Committee, chaired by Retired Supreme Court Judge Christopher Mushabati with Dr Landilani Banda as Vice Chairperson and Spokesperson.
The President explained that the initial constitutional reform process had been set aside following concerns raised by various stakeholders adding that the new approach was designed to pave the way for broader consultation and deeper national consensus.
Nationwide Consultations Gain Momentum
The Technical committee has since embarked on countrywide public sittings to consult the Zambian people on constitutional amendments.
Divided in five teams, the Technical Committee has started the public sittings with five provinces from 27th to 30th October, 2025. These are Central, Northern, North-Western, Eastern and Western Provinces while in the second phase, the Committee will hold consultations in Copperbelt, Luapula, Muchinga and Southern Province. The Committee will conclude with public sittings in Lusaka Province on the 13th November, 2025.
Vice Chairperson, who is also the Spokesperson of the Technical Committee, in a statement called on Zambians to participate in this important national undertaking by making submissions to the Committee on constitutional amendments.
“This is a consultative and inclusive process whose success will depend on the participation of all Zambians,” Dr. Banda said, further stressing that the Committee has structured its programme in such a way that members of the public would either make their submissions physically by appearing before the committee, in writing or virtually.
The sittings have since seen remarkable public response with traditional leaders leading the way to make submissions in the provinces covered so far.
In Western Province, the process began with a solemn courtesy call on His Royal Highness the Litunga at his Limulunga Palace in Mongu, setting the tone for respectful engagement with traditional institutions in the province.
In North-Western Province, over 30 traditional leaders made their submissions at the Solwezi Council Chamber, while in Eastern Province, 18 traditional leaders made their submissions before the committee in Chipata.
The public sittings in Central Province also saw several traditional leaders, making submissions to the Committee followed by members of the public, including students while in Northern Province, the Committee commenced its work with courtesy calls on His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Chitimukulu, Senior Chief Mwamba, and Chief Nkolemfumu in Kasama.
Terms of Reference
The Government, through the Secretary to the Cabinet, Patrick Kangwa, earlier released a detailed list of Terms of Reference for the Constitution amendment process. These include amending the constitutional provisions that have a bearing on the political, economic and social development of the country, delimitation and delineation of Constituencies and Wards with a view to ensuring fair, equitable and balanced representation and distribution of resources across the country and promotion and enhancement of effective participation of women, youths and persons with disabilities in elective positions and governance institutions in accordance with the principles of inclusivity, equality and equity, among others.
"One of the Terms of Reference is to receive submissions from the people of Zambia with respect to provisions relating to the electoral process and the electoral system as a whole," Dr Banda stated during the North-Western Province public sittings.
He elaborated that this includes ensuring "fair, equitable and balanced representation and distribution of resources across the nation."
Further in the exercise of its duties, the Technical Committee is guided by Article 198 (d) of the Constitution with emphasis on morality and ethics, patriotism and national unity, democracy and constitutionalism, human rights, equality, social justice and non-discrimination, good governance and integrity, sustainable development and finally prudent and responsible use of public resources.
Towards a People's Constitution
With the final report scheduled for official handover to the Government on November 26, 2025, the window for public participation is now open.
Let us build our nation’s supreme law together! #Wethepeopleofzambia#Zambia #ConstitutionalAmendments #PeopleDriven #YourVoiceMatters
Email: submissions@constitution.gov.zm
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Contact: Dr. Landilani Banda, Spokesperson - 0958122282