HH Enlightens Zambians About Gaps in the Constitution

Former Deputy Minister of Information, Joseph Chilambwe, has strongly criticised opposition parties for accusing President Hakainde Hichilema of attempting to extend his stay in office.

During his annual address to parliament on September 13th, President Hichilema confused some observers when discussing constitutional reform. The President said, “Some lacunae can lead us to a situation where we could have no general election for eight years.”

Mr Chilambwe clarified that President Hichilema’s remarks were not about extending his term but rather an effort to inform the public of certain loopholes within the constitution.

The lacuna the President referred to is the current constitutional provision, Article 52 (6), that requires an election to be postponed if a candidate drops out of the race. Based on this provision, in theory, an election could be perpetually postponed if party candidates kept dropping out before the election. 

However, the former Deputy Minister argued that if the President had selfish intentions, he could have taken advantage of the ruling United Party for National Development (UNPD)’s majority in Parliament and amended the constitution already. 

““Zambians should thank the President for being honest and letting them know what’s in the Constitution. Some people who haven’t read it fully are misleading others,” Chilambwe added.