Zambia’s Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 Passes Second Reading

Lusaka, December 15, 2025

The Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 has successfully passed its second reading in Parliament, with 131 Members of Parliament voting in favor. The development marks a significant step forward in the legislative process for the proposed changes to the country’s supreme law.

The bill, which seeks to introduce a series of amendments to the Constitution, will now move to the next stages of parliamentary scrutiny before it can be enacted into law. Lawmakers supporting the bill argued that the proposed changes are aimed at enhancing governance, improving service delivery, and strengthening national institutions.

Details of the amendments include provisions to increase constituencies to 211, achieved through the delimitation of larger constituencies, a move aimed at ensuring more equitable distribution of resources and better representation of citizens in government. The legislation also seeks to formalize the role of Members of Parliament in working closely with councils and local authorities, ensuring that legislative oversight aligns with local decision-making.

Supporters of the bill, including the Human Rights Commission, have voiced approval, noting that the amendments will help strengthen democratic governance and improve accountability at both national and local levels.

The successful second reading sets the stage for committee review and public consultations, after which the bill will return to Parliament for its third and final reading before being signed into law by the President.

Observers say that if enacted, the bill could have wide-ranging impacts on resource allocation, political representation, and local governance, potentially shaping Zambia’s political landscape for years to come.