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Two Civil Society Organisations have rushed to the High Court seeking to halt Government’s move to process 77 Bills in just nine days before the dissolution of Parliament, arguing that the hurried exercise threatened constitutional democracy and meaningful public participation.
LCK Freedom Foundation and Chapter One Foundation have jointly filed an application for judicial review challenging government’s decision to table and process the Bills between May 4 and May 12, 2026, ahead of Parliament’s dissolution on May 15 before the August general elections.
The organisations are also seeking an urgent court order to immediately stop the tabling and processing of the Bills pending determination of the matter.
In a joint statement signed by LCK Freedom Foundation executive director Linda Kasonde and Chapter One Foundation executive director Josiah Kalala, the organisations argued that the compressed legislative process was unlawful, irrational and unconstitutional.
The two organisations further challenged the suspension of the National Assembly’s Standing Orders, saying the move undermined constitutional safeguards intended to ensure adequate scrutiny of proposed laws.
“The decision by the Government to rush 77 Bills through Parliament in nine days strikes at the heart of constitutional governance in Zambia,” the statement read.
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The organisations argued that Article 89 of the Constitution imposed a mandatory obligation on Parliament to facilitate meaningful public participation in the legislative process, including scrutiny through Parliamentary Select Committees.
According to the application, no meaningful consultation can take place within the limited timeframe proposed by Government.
“No member of the public and frankly, no Member of Parliament can meaningfully read, understand, analyse and respond to 77 pieces of legislation in nine days,” the organisations stated.
They are asking the High Court to declare the process unconstitutional and any legislation passed in violation of Article 89 null and void.
The organisations have also called on Government and the National Assembly to postpone the processing of the Bills and allow adequate time for public engagement.
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