HRC Supports Bill 7 as Reforms Target Equity and Improved Service Delivery

The Human Rights Commission (HRC) has expressed support for Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025, saying the proposed changes are largely progressive and aimed at strengthening equity, representation and service delivery.

The Bill, which is currently going through its Second Reading in the National Assembly, proposes, among other reforms, an increase in the number of constituencies from 156 to 211 through the delimitation of large constituencies. The move is intended to address disparities in representation and promote more equitable distribution of national resources.

According to stakeholders supporting the Bill, smaller and more evenly sized constituencies will allow Members of Parliament to represent communities more effectively, ensuring that development resources and public services reach citizens more fairly across the country.

In a statement, HRC spokesperson Mwelwa Muleya said the Commission supports the amendment of the Constitution after considering submissions made by the majority of stakeholders who appeared before the Parliamentary Select Committee that scrutinised the Bill.

He said the HRC presented its views to the committee, raising some concerns but largely backing the Bill on the basis that most of the proposed amendments have the potential to enhance inclusive and representative democracy if implemented in a just and fair manner.

The Bill also proposes a governance arrangement that enables Members of Parliament to be part of councils or work more closely with local authorities. Proponents argue that this alignment will place elected leaders and councils on the same decision-making platform, improving coordination between national and local governance structures.

This closer integration is expected to strengthen planning, reduce duplication of roles and improve the effectiveness of service delivery at local authority level.

Mr Muleya said the overall intention of the proposed amendments is to implement long-standing recommendations from citizens gathered through various commissions and consultative processes, with the ultimate goal of strengthening Zambia’s constitutional framework.

Supporters of Bill 7 maintain that by promoting equitable representation, improving coordination between MPs and local authorities, and enhancing service delivery, the proposed reforms could contribute to more responsive governance that better serves the needs of communities across the country.