YALI to support calls for constitution amendment

The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) says it will support any call by the opposition to amend the Constitution so as to allow the forthcoming Presidential by-election to be held under a system that elects a majority President.

And YALI says it is not possible to have a referendum alongside the pending presidential by-election, considering that the referendum requires a lot of planning.

YALI Governance Advisor Isaac Mwanza has told QFM News in an interview that his organization has never been for piecemeal amendments to the Constitution of the Zambia, but that for the complete overhaul of the Constitution so that the country can have a whole new Constitution.

Mr. Mwanza however states that under the current circumstances, all stakeholders should agree especially the opposition and the ruling party to quickly push for the progressive amendments to the current constitution.

He says his organization stands ready to support Government and the people of Zambia in coming up with a good Constitution that can stand the test of time.

Mr Mwanza adds that he would be happy to see how the system of electing a President on the basis of the 50%+1 would work in the Presidential by-election.