Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The Grand Coalition on the Campaign for the People Driven Constitution says it doubts government has any conscience left to listen to the wishes of Zambians over the adoption of the new constitution.
The Grand Coalition says if the Patriotic Front government has any conscience left; it would not attempt to bulldoze its way against the will and expectations of the people for the constitution to be adopted through the referendum.
Chairperson Leonard Chiti says the coalition is of the view that if government goes ahead with its planned piecemeal amendment to the country’s current constitution when Parliament reconvenes in June, it will in fact be undermining the authority of the people.
Father Chiti has told a media briefing in Lusaka this morning that the Grand Coalition is left to wonder why the government wants to take the current constitution making process to Parliament without any legal framework.
He says in the absence of a legal framework, the position of the Grand Coalition is that the only way the contents of the final draft constitution will be protected is through its adoption in a national referendum.
Fr Chiti has explained that this is because in its current composition, Parliament cannot be trusted to make amendments to the constitution in a manner government has planned to do.
He states that to this effect, the Grand Coalition is working with other partners in Parliament to resist attempts by government to take the Constitution amendment Bill to the National Assembly when it resumes sitting.
Father Chiti says the Grand Coalition insists that government must first put in place a law that protects the contents of the final draft constitution.
He states that the Grand Coalition will resist every attempt by government that makes it appear like the people of Zambia are being done a favour by letting the final draft constitution go for a referendum.