VETERAN politician Vernon Mwaanga has submitted to the Mushabati Technical Committee in Lusaka that qualifications for members of parliament should not be raised to a degree to avoid disadvantaging other ordinary people.
Currently, MPs are required to have a grade 12 certificate or equivalent to be able to contest for representation.
Mwaanga stated that raising the qualification to degree level would disadvantage others who may not have the papers but are passionate about serving citizens.
“Ordinary people with no university degrees will feel discriminated which in my view would not be right,” he submitted.
The former cabinet minister submitted that there was need to expand the number of parliamentary seats to ensure broader and more effective representation of citizens across the country.
He also told the committee that the running mate system should stay to avoid expensive by elections and a presidential candidate should keep needing more than 50 percent plus one votes to win.
He also called for an increase in the number of nominated MPs, noting that the constitution previously allowed the President to nominate up to 10 members, a number that later reduced to 8.
He argued that increasing nominations would help ensure ethnic balance in the Cabinet when necessary.
“It is my submission that the number of MPs nominated by the President should be increased from the current 8 to 10. There can be times or circumstances when it will be necessary, based on my experience, to ethnically balance a Cabinet in the interest of One Zambia, One Nation,” he said.
The former minister further recommended enhanced representation for youth and persons with disabilities in the National Assembly.
He proposed that atleast three youths and two persons living with disabilities should be included as representatives, with the President having the discretion to consider additional criteria for their nomination.
According to Mwanga, this will help achieve an inclusive government that reflects the diversity of our nation.
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
