State, Gambari discuss proposed constitution amendments

GOVERNMENT has discussed proposed amendments to the constitution with political dialogue facilitator, Professor Ibrahim Gambari from the Commonwealth, Justice Minister Given Lubinda has disclosed

In an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Lubinda said Prof Gambari has been involved so that he considers the proposed changes as he makes his plans.

And Mr Lubinda has said Government will publish the proposed amendments to the constitution in May this year.

Mr Lubinda said it was government’s hope that in May 2018, the proposed amendments to the constitution would be published in the government gazettes and daily print media.

He said the publication would go on for one month to allow people to comment before it is presented to Parliament.

Mr Lubinda said some representatives of the legislature and members of the judiciary had been discussing and analysing all the submissions received on the constitution refinement.

He said stakeholders would complete compiling the outcomes of the discussions pertaining to the proposed amendments this week adding that the external views would be advertised to the public “Last week the Ministry of Justice was operating at 30 per cent because all the state advocates were gathered in Siavonga together with members of the judiciary and some representatives of the legislature. They were analysing the submissions on the constitution refinement.

“I am hoping that this week they will complete compiling discussions they had in Siavonga then after that, we are going to advertise to get external drafts from constitutional experts to come and relook at the submissions so that we can also benefit from people outside government circles,”Mr Lubinda explained

Mr Lubinda, who is also Kabwata lawmaker, said after receiving the comments, his Ministry would proceed to present the amendment bill to Cabinet for approval.