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The Catholic Church has warned that the lack of transparency in Zambia’s delimitation process and the absence of enforcement mechanisms for inclusion risk undoing progress made in equitable representation.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement meeting on the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7, Catholic Diocese of Mongu Vocations Director Father Patrick Fumbelo of the Mongu Diocese described the proposed changes—particularly the Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR) system—as superficial and poorly thought out.
The event was held on Monday at Country Lodge in Mongu District, organized by Transparency International Zambia in partnership with civil society organizations under the Constitutional Reform Coalition.
In a statement issued in Lusaka, Fumbelo argued that the current proposals raise critical concerns about inclusivity, legitimacy, and democratic integrity.
“This platform reflects the importance of citizen participation in shaping our country’s governance. Unfortunately, the proposed amendments fall short of offering genuine opportunities for women, youth, and persons with disabilities to play a meaningful role in leadership,” he said.
He criticized the amendments to by-election procedures and candidate disqualification rules, saying they introduce confusion rather than clarity.
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“Allowing an election to continue when a candidate resigns or is disqualified—without specifying what happens if they still win—creates a legal and procedural vacuum,” Fumbelo said.
He added that while addressing the high cost and frequency of by-elections is important, giving political parties the power to fill vacant seats without clear democratic processes would erode voter influence and accountability.
Fumbelo also expressed concern over attempts to reintroduce Members of Parliament into local councils, stating that such reforms would undermine Zambia’s devolution framework and centralize power.
“History has shown that these overlaps blur governance roles, compromise grassroots service delivery, and weaken public trust,” he said.
He called for reforms that are grounded in equity, constitutional values, and the public interest, warning against symbolic changes that ignore the foundational principles of participatory democracy.
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