LUSAKA, Zambia – Zambia’s parliament overwhelmingly passed a bill Monday to modify constitutional provisions related to elections that the opposition claims will bolster President Hakainde Hichilema at next year’s polls. The bill sought to amend articles in the constitution of the copper-rich nation, notably increasing the number of elected parliamentary seats from 156 to 211 and allocating 40 to women, youth and disabled people, while ending a limit of two five-year terms for mayors. It also moves Zambia from a first-past-the-post system to a mixed member proportional representation system.
“We promised constitutional reform to ensure fair representation and equitable resource allocation,” Hichilema said after the vote. “Today’s Bill 7 delivers on that commitment. Debated openly and passed with broad support, it’s now time to roll up our sleeves and move forward united for a better Zambia.” Lawmaker Francis Kapyanga from the opposition Patriotic Front (PF) said he would not “legitimise an illegality”.
Political tensions in the nation of 22 million people have been illustrated by a standoff over the burial of Hichilema’s PF predecessor Edgar Lungu, who died in hospital in neighbouring South Africa in June. Lungu’s family has refused to repatriate his body for burial because Hichilema wanted to preside over the funeral. Hichilema – who will be standing for the second of a constitutionally limited two five-year terms – admitted the bill had “tested” national unity but said the outcome of the parliament’s vote must be respected.
