The Human Rights Commission has backed the proposed amendment to Zambia’s Constitution.
In a statement, the rights body’s spokesperson, Mweelwa Muleya, says the Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 is progressive, with the potential to enhance inclusive and diverse representative democracy and national development if enacted and implemented in a just and fair manner.
Mr. Muleya says the proposed amendment of Article 47 of the Constitution, which seeks to introduce a hybrid electoral system combining the current First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR) systems, is a game-changer for Zambia’s democracy.
He has explained that the combination of the FPTP and the Mixed Member Proportional Representation (MMPR) systems provides an affirmative legal framework that will significantly contribute to an inclusive and human-rights-oriented representative democracy.
The Zambian Government, under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, is seeking to amend the 2016 Constitution, but critics argue that the process should have been undertaken after the 2026 General Election.
The Bill is expected to come up for its second reading on Monday December 15, 2025.
By Darius Choonya.
