18/12/2025
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BILL 7 OF 2025
The Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 has completed its passage through the National Assembly, securing 135 votes in its final reading and advancing to the stage of presidential assent. The Bill introduces wide‑ranging changes to the country’s constitutional, electoral, and governance framework, and has generated significant legal and political debate throughout its development.
Contested legislative process
The legislative journey of Bill 7 has been marked by constitutional scrutiny and institutional challenge. Earlier in 2025, the Constitutional Court held that the process leading to a previous iteration of the Bill did not satisfy constitutional requirements for broad public consultation and a people‑driven reform process under Article 79. In response, the Executive initiated corrective steps intended to address the Court’s concerns and regularise the pathway for constitutional amendments.
Establishment of technical committee
Following the Court’s intervention, the President appointed a 25‑member Technical Committee on Constitutional Amendments to oversee a renewed consultation process. The Committee was tasked with conducting nationwide engagements, receiving submissions from stakeholders, and refining the proposed amendments in light of public input. Findings and recommendations from this process were incorporated into the text that was ultimately tabled and debated in the National Assembly.
Ongoing concerns from stakeholders
Despite the revised process, sections of the legal and political community continue to question the legitimacy and adequacy of the reforms. The Law Association of Zambia has maintained reservations about aspects of the amendment process, including concerns around participation, timing, and the overall coherence of the reform agenda. Opposition parties, including members of the Patriotic Front who boycotted the final vote, have similarly raised doubts about whether the reintroduction and passage of Bill 7 fully cured the defects earlier identified by the Constitutional Court.
Substantive changes introduced
Bill 7 proposes a series of structural and procedural changes that extend beyond the political arena in Lusaka/Zambia. Among other measures, it expands the number of constituency‑based seats in Parliament and adjusts the electoral system, with the stated aim of improving representation, including of women, youths, and persons with disabilities. The Bill also amends rules relating to by‑elections, the tenure and composition of local authorities, and timelines for determining election petitions.
The text further seeks to harmonise key constitutional definitions that interface with various statutes and policy frameworks. In particular, it refines terms such as “child,” “youth,” and “adult,” as well as other age‑ and status‑related concepts, to promote consistency across legal instruments. These definitional changes are expected to influence how age thresholds, capacities, and protections are interpreted in areas such as education, labour, social welfare, and child protection.
Implications for institutions and practitioners
For businesses, civil society organisations, political actors, and public bodies, the Bill effectively alters the regulatory and institutional landscape ahead of the 2026 elections. The expansion of Parliament and the modification of electoral rules will require renewed voter education and strategic adjustment by political parties and advocacy groups across the provinces. Legal practitioners and compliance officers may need to review internal policies, standard contracts, employment documentation, and child‑focused programmes to ensure alignment with the revised constitutional framework.
Publication note
This article is intended to provide a neutral overview of the background, process, and potential implications of the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025 for general information and publication guidance. It does not constitute legal advice, and readers seeking specific guidance on how the Bill may affect their rights, obligations, or institutional arrangements should consult a qualified legal practitioner.
