By CHARITY MOONGA –
GOVERNMENT has released the long-awaited draft Constitution describing it as a gift to the Zambian people as they celebrate 50 years of independence.
Acting Justice Minister Ngosa Simbyakula released the document to Parliament yesterday, saying it was a huge milestone for Zambia as it was the first time the draft was being released without Government interference.
Dr Simbyakula unveiled the draft Constitution which was wrapped in a copper-coloured paper blended with Zambia’s national colours.
The draft Constitution contains all the controversial clauses like the fifty per cent plus one for presidential elections, and below 75 years for a Presidential candidate.
He said as Zambia celebrated her 50 years of independence, there was need to take a bold step in shaping the country’s celebrations by releasing the draft Constitution.
He thanked the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the generosity shown in supporting Government print the draft Constitution for the general public.
The draft Constitution would also be uploaded on a website to be announced by the Ministry of Justice later.
Both the ruling MPs and opposition MPs welcomed the release of the draft Constitution.
Opposition MPs, however, took the Government to task for not providing a straight-forward timeframe and roadmap for the process.
Mafinga MMD MP Catherine Namugala, Chembe MMD MP Mwansa Mbulakulima, Mazabuka Central UPND MP Gary Nkombo, Bweengwa UPND MP Highvie Hamududu, Chadiza MMD MP Allan Mbewe, and Choma Central UPND MP Cornelius Mweetwa demanded for a timeframe and a roadmap to enact the Constitution.
But Dr Simbyakula maintained that the Constitution-making process would be a people-driven one and that the final Constitution would be a product of consensus and consultation between Government and the Zambian people.
It was now time for the Zambians to analyse the draft Constitution and make submissions to the Ministry of Justice.
No time frame had been allocated for the Zambians to make submissions in the Constitution.
Chipili PF MP Davies Mwila and Kabwata PF MP Given Lubinda were happy that the Government had released the final draft Constitution and Mr Lubinda called for a caucus that would protect the content of the draft Constitution.
Chipangali MMD MP Vincent Mwale and Kalomo UPND MP Request Muntanga questioned the K29 million Constitution budget in 2015 and whether there would be a referendum respectively.
Dr Simbyakula urged the MPs not to politicise the Constitution process as that had the potential to fail the process.
President Sata appointed a 20-member technical committee to formulate a draft Constitution on November 16, 2011 and was chaired by former chief justice Annel Silungwe.