Minister of Justice Princess Kasune has urged members of parliament to correct the misconceptions that have been spread in public about the government’s proposed constitution amendment.
Yesterday, the Minister of Justice officially presented the statement and provisions of the proposed constitution amendment in parliament to commence the roadmap for the process.
Speaking in parliament after delivering the ministerial statement, Kasune urged parliamentarians to engage and enlighten the people about the provisions being proposed for amendment in order to clear any misconceptions or misinformation.
“May we take advantage of the provisions and the statement that have been presented today to get back to our people and correct the impressions out there regarding the issues they were discussing,” Kasune said.
Kasune also called on some members of the opposition to retract their earlier misconceptions that the government intended to amend the constitution to extend the presidential term.
“I hope they can go back to the different media and retract their statements because there is no removal of the 50+1 requirement for the presidency, and there is no extension of the tenure from five years to seven years, so now we are at a place where we are clear,” she said.
Kasune further stated that the government remains open to and encourages the need for more engagement and consultation during the process of the proposed constitution amendment.
“As a government, we are saying if there are more issues, bring them forward and take advantage of the statement released, which is in the public domain, so that we can have constructive conversations. We should also take advantage of the time it will be gazetted, not only for us honorable members but also for Zambians out there,” she added.
In a bid to ensure that all citizens are familiarized with the provisions of the constitution and to avoid misinformation, Kasune says she hopes to oversee the translation of the constitution into local languages.
“My hope, if I continue in this position, is to see the constitution written in our agreed local languages because I think that will help us. Even the constitution speaks to the fact that all women and men should be treated equally and contribute to the development of this country. Every citizen should have basic knowledge about the constitution, and that will help address and cure some of the concerns and misinformation out there,” she said.
