THE Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7 of 2025 has been returned to the floor of the National Assembly.
This follows a day after the technical committee on Constitutional Amendments submitted the technical report and draft Bill to President Hakainde Hichilema.
On June 25, 2025, Justice minister Princess Kasune introduced the Bill for its first reading in the National Assembly, where Speaker Nelly Mutti referred it to a select committee for further scrutiny.
However, on June 26, 2025, President Hichilema deferred the Bill for broader national consultations.
Yesterday, first deputy speaker Attractor Chisangano announced in the house that she had received communication from the minister of Justice, indicating that she sought the house to immediately resume consideration of the Bill.
“To this effect, the select committee that was constituted to scrutinise the Bill will commence its meetings immediately,” said Chisangano.
She also noted that the deferment of the Bill was in line with Standing Orders 121 (1), which states that a member who sponsors a Bill, may defer or withdraw the Bill at any time by formally writing to the speaker, stating his or her decision.
Chisangano said Standing Order 122 (1), also provides that a Bill that has been deferred for a period exceeding six months, is deemed withdrawn by a member sponsoring the Bill.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, December 3, 2025
