Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025

The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 (commonly referred to as Bill 7) was a proposed constitutional amendment introduced in May 2025 by the Ministry of Justice in the National Assembly of Zambia.^[1] The Bill sought to expand the National Assembly from 156 to 211 elected members, introduce a mixed-member proportional representation system for reserved seats, remove two-term limits for local government leaders, and revise nomination and electoral procedures. Bill 7 was tabled for first reading in May 2025 but faced widespread opposition from civil society organizations, opposition political parties, and legal associations. On 26 June 2025, debate in Parliament grew heated as critics accused the government of seeking to consolidate power and bypass constitutional safeguards.^[2] A week later, on 27 June 2025, the Constitutional Court declared the Bill unconstitutional in a landmark ruling, citing a lack of “wide public consultation” as required under Article 79 of the Constitution.^[3]

Proponents of the Bill argued it would improve representation and harmonize governance structures, while opponents described it as “more frightening than Bill 10” and a threat to Zambia’s democracy.^[4] The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) welcomed the Court’s decision and called for future constitutional reforms to be “people-driven and led by an independent committee of experts.”^[5]

The Bill remains legally void and has not progressed beyond its first reading.

The Bill proposed extensive changes to Zambia’s governance framework, including:

• Expansion of Parliament: Increasing the number of constituency-based seats in the National Assembly from 156 to 211, in line with recommendations from the Electoral Commission of Zambia’s delimitation report.^[6]
• Electoral system reform: Introducing a mixed-member proportional representation system for electing Members of Parliament. Under this system, constituency seats would continue to be elected via first-past-the-post, while additional seats reserved for women, youth, and persons with disabilities would be allocated through proportional representation based on party votes.^[7]
• Electoral procedures: Revising nomination, resignation, and disqualification procedures for candidates. It stipulated that by-elections would not be held within 180 days prior to a general election.
• Local government changes: Removing the two-term limit for mayors and council chairpersons, and harmonising the terms of Parliament and local councils to a unified five-year period commencing from the first sitting after a general election.^[8]
• Ministerial vacancies: Providing for vacancies in the offices of Minister and Provincial Minister 90 days before a general election, and redefining qualifications for the Secretary to the Cabinet.

The Bill attracted substantial criticism from civil society organisations, opposition parties, and legal experts.

• Centralisation of power: Critics argued that the proposed changes would increase presidential influence and consolidate power among incumbents.^[9]
• Democratic accountability: The removal of by-elections within 180 days of general elections was seen as potentially weakening democratic accountability.
• Transparency and consultation: Observers noted a lack of transparency in the delimitation process and an absence of broad public consultation prior to the Bill’s introduction.^[10]

On 27 June 2025, the Constitutional Court declared the Bill unconstitutional, ruling that it failed to comply with Article 79 of the Constitution, which requires “wide public consultation” before any constitutional amendments.^[11] The Court emphasised that constitutional reforms must be people-driven, not solely initiated by the Executive or Legislature.

The Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) welcomed the decision, urging future constitutional reforms to be preceded by “tangible and visible” consultations led by an independent, non-partisan committee of experts to ensure legitimacy and compliance with constitutional principles.^[12] Following the Constitutional Court ruling, Bill No. 7 was rendered legally void. The government has indicated plans to undertake broader consultations before pursuing any further constitutional amendments.^[13]

• Constitution of Zambia
• Politics of Zambia
• National Assembly of Zambia