Constitution making process prone to manipulation – Oasis Forum

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Zambia draft Constitution
The Oasis Forum has observed that the current constitution making process is as prone to manipulation and capture as previous processes in the absence of a legal framework.

Oasis Forum Spokesperson Fr Cleophas Lungu in a statement issued to QFM News states that the recent statements attributed to the Spokesperson of the Technical Committee on Drafting the Constitution that the final draft will not be subjected to public scrutiny, clearly illustrate the repercussions of undertaking constitution making processes without paying serious attention to the importance of underpinning the process within a legal framework.

Fr Lungu says it is saddening to note that the Committee has failed to avail the people of Zambia with the final opportunity to validate their input in the process.

He says the shortcoming in time could have been a foreseen challenge had the process been premised on a clearly laid down roadmap.

He adds that it would be a serious error for the document to be handed only to the Republican President, stating that it is only just and fair that the document lands in the hands of the Public who are the rightful custodians, the Republican President and Parliament at the same time.

Fr Lungu says the Oasis Forum is earnestly appealing to the Patriotic Front government, members of the Drafting Committee and the Minister of Justice to exhibit genuine patriotism by adhering to principles of constitutionalism.

Fr Lungu states that it is not too late to institute a process of legally protecting the on-going constitution making process, stating that this request is in the interest of all well-meaning Zambians

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