Caritas Zambia Calls for Postponement of Constitution Amendment Until After 2026 Elections
Caritas Zambia has urged the government to postpone the proposed constitutional amendments until after the 2026 general elections, citing concerns over the lack of consensus and the risk of perceived political bias.
In a statement issued today, Caritas Zambia Director, Rev. Fr. Dr. Gabriel Mapulanga, highlighted the position of the Catholic bishops, who, in their pastoral statement of November 19, 2024, questioned the timing of the reforms.
The bishops emphasized that electoral reforms are critical for a developing democracy like Zambia but warned that proceeding with amendments so close to an election could raise suspicions of unfair political advantage.
“There is no agreed roadmap on the review of the Constitution to date. We accordingly urge the Government to seriously consider postponing the amendment of Zambia’s Constitution to the post-2026 election period. This is because it is too late to build the kind of consensus that is required for such a serious exercise,” the statement read.
Caritas Zambia stressed that constitutional amendments should be carried out with full transparency, accountability, and broad stakeholder engagement to ensure credibility. The organization warned that rushing the process could undermine trust in the country’s democratic institutions.
The call for postponement comes amid ongoing efforts by the Electoral Reform Technical Committee, appointed by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), to review electoral laws. While Caritas Zambia supports electoral reforms, it insists that such processes must be undertaken at an appropriate time to maintain public confidence.
The organization urges the government to prioritize national unity and inclusivity in decision-making, ensuring that all citizens have a voice in shaping Zambia’s constitutional future.
