Caritas Zambia Calls for Postponement of Constitutional Amendments Until After 2026 Elections
Caritas Zambia has requested the government to delay constitutional amendments until after the 2026 general elections, stressing the importance of building consensus for effective reforms. This request follows President Hakainde Hichilema’s announcement about proposed electoral changes.
Caritas Zambia has advised the Zambian government to defer any amendments to the Constitution until after the upcoming general elections scheduled for 2026. This stance highlights the organization’s concerns regarding proposed electoral reforms, which had previously faced criticism from members of the Zambia Conference of Catholic Bishops (ZCCB) in 2024.
On March 8, 2025, President Hakainde Hichilema announced plans to amend the Constitution before the 2026 elections during the International Women’s Day celebrations. This announcement has prompted Caritas Zambia to call for a delay in the legislative changes.
In a statement issued on March 17, Fr. Gabriel Mapulanga, the Executive Director of Caritas Zambia, stressed the importance of allowing ample time for consensus-building. He indicated that the current timeline does not permit the necessary discussions for such significant constitutional modifications to take place effectively.
In summary, Caritas Zambia urges the government to postpone constitutional amendments until after the 2026 general elections to allow for adequate consensus and effective execution. The call follows President Hakainde Hichilema’s announcement regarding proposed electoral reforms, which may not allow sufficient time for discussion prior to the elections.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
