Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Vice president Inonge Wina has ruled out holding the referendum separately from the August 11th elections.
Ms Wina has told Parliament in a ministerial statement to update the house on the preparations for the 2016 general election and the printing of the ballot papers that the Electoral Commission is finalizing the modalities of conducting the referendum.
She says it is prudent to hold the August 11th elections together with the referendum on the bill of rights.
Ms Wina says this is an opportunity for the country to hold a referendum and incorporate the bill of rights in the constitution.
She says postponing the holding of the referendum this year may take may take many more years before a good referendum can be held.
Ms Wina states that even with the remaining time before the elections, stakeholders can still manage to sensitize people on the bill of rights.
She adds that none registered voters will use National Registration Cards to vote in the referendum.
And Ms Wina says the number of constituencies to be contested in the August 11th elections will increase to 156 from the current 150.
Ms Wina says this follows the delimitation exercise conducted by the ECZ in six constituencies aimed at giving effect to the constitution provision that amended the number of constituencies from 150 to 156.
Ms Wina says the delimitation exercise was undertaken in six districts established after the 2011 elections namely Ngabwe, Sinda, Chirundu, Sioma, Chembe and Nkeyema.