VETERAN politician Vernon Mwaanga has proposed that Members of Parliament and Mayors should not have a term limit, arguing that democracy should empower voters to decide how long their leaders remain in office.
Speaking during submissions on the proposed Constitution Amendment Committee in Lusaka yesterday, Mwaanga argued that restricting the number of terms for elected representatives undermines democratic choice.
Mwaanga said the decision on whether the lawmaker or local government leader continues in office should rest entirely with the electorate, not the constitution.
“As regards the tenure of office for MPs and Councilors, there has been an ongoing debate. It is my submission that there should be no restrictions on the tenure of office for Members of Parliament and local councils. This is the worldwide practice,” he submitted.
He explained that democracy functions best when citizens have the freedom to retain leaders who deliver results and remove those who fail, regardless of how long they have served.
“If an MP or mayor continues to enjoy the confidence of the people, then there is no reason they should be forced out by artificial term limits,” he added.
He asserted that longevity in office should not be seen as a flaw in democracy but as a reflection of consistent public trust.
Mwaanga further submitted that the number of parliamentary seats in constituencies should be substantially increased to ensure better representation of Zambians in the National Assembly.
According to Mwaanga, many of the current constituencies were created decades ago and no longer reflect population growth or shifts, leaving some areas underrepresented.
“Expanding the number of seats would bring lawmakers closer to the people, strengthen democracy, and allow for more equitable distribution of resources and attention across the country,” he added.
The Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments is convening today for Day three of its public hearing and submission exercise in Lusaka Province.
Yesterday marked the first day of formal hearings and receipt of submissions from members of the public for Lusaka Province.
The Committee will continue to receive both oral, online and written submissions as part of the nationwide constitutional amendment process.
Some senior citizens like Maxwell Mukwakwa, Dante Saunders, Mwaanga, numerous other freedom fighters along with members of the public and civil society organizations have already made their submissions.
The hearings and submissions are being had at Mulungushi International Conference Centre KK Wing.
By Sharon Zulu
Kalemba November 12, 2025
