By Francis Maingaila
LUSAKA
A coalition of Zambian political parties, unions, NGOs and religious leaders on Wednesday announced their support for a draft constitution released in October, saying they want the proposed charter adopted in a referendum – and not by parliament, as has been suggested by the government.
"Our immediate impression was that the technical committee took on board most of the recommendations from the broad-based and consultative District, Provincial and National Conventions," coalition chairperson Beatrice Grillo told reporters in Lusaka.
"The final draft constitution reflects the wishes and aspirations of Zambians," she asserted.
The government released the long-awaited draft constitution on October 25.
Grillo said that coalition members were happy that the final draft had retained recommendations that vice-presidential candidates be fielded along with presidential candidates in upcoming general elections.
"This clause is very important because in an event like this one, where a president dies in office, the vice-president automatically assumes office rather than going for costly presidential by-elections," she said.
President Michael Chilufya Sata, who died last month in London, was laid to rest on Tuesday.
His vice-president has been named acting president pending presidential elections to be held within 90 days.
The draft also retained a recommendation to appoint ministers from outside parliament and allows for the possibility of recalling non-performing MPs.
"This final draft constitution is simply the best. We agree with the government on this one as a perfect Jubilee gift to the people of Zambia," Grillo said.
On October 24, Zambia celebrated the 50th anniversary of its independence from the United Kingdom.
Referendum
The coalition, meanwhile, wants the draft constitution adopted in a referendum before 2016 – not by parliament, as suggested by the government.
"All we need now is political will on the part of the government to ensure the constitution is finalized before 2016 general elections," said Grillo.
"We aren't sure this document will see the light of day if it is taken to parliament, as the government has suggested," she added.
"Using the politics of numbers in the house and parliament can kill the dream of having a people-driven constitution," the opposition leader asserted.
She went on to urge the government to immediately put the process in motion of enacting the draft charter through a national referendum.
"We demand that a referendum in which to adopt a new republican constitution be held as soon as possible," added Grillo.
In the run-up to 2011 presidential polls, Sata had promised that his government would deliver a "people-driven" constitution within 90 days of his assuming office.
He later appointed a constitutional committee tasked with hearing submissions from citizens before presenting the proposed constitution.
The process, however, has dragged on ever since.
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