Tell us the status of Draft Constitution, FODEP challenges Sata

Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has challenged government to confirm if it is true that it has dissolved The Technical Committee on Drafting the new Zambian Constitution (TCDZC).

In a statement released today Friday, April 25, 2014 and signed by Executive Director McDonald Chipenzi FODEP is also challenging government to confirm that President Michael Chilufya Sata is in receipt of 10 copies of the draft constitution.

FODEP is concerned with the secrecy of the way government is handling the draft constitution which is of national importance.

FODEP says the government’s conduct has eroded public conduct and credibility of the entire process.

“It is such covert actions on the constitution making process by the government that has eroded public confidence and credibility in the entire process,” the statement reads.

“The release of the draft would help Zambians engage in meaningful debate,” says FODEP.

Below is the full statement:

Press Statement

25^th April 2014

Confirm reports of dissolution of the Technical Committee, FODEP challenges Govt

Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) would like to challenge government to clear reports that the President, Mr. Michael Chilufya Sata, has secretly dissolved the Technical Committee on drafting the new Zambian Constitution effect April 14, 2014.

We also want to get government’s position on the reports that the 10 copies of the draft constitution are now with the President who allegedly acknowledged receipt of them in his letter of dissolution to the TCDZC.

If it is true that the President dissolved the TCDZC, FODEP’s concern is how such an action could be effected before the final draft constitution is submitted to him and then the general public especially that there are reports that the document is purportedly lost and government has not bothered to investigate the loss of such documents produced at a great cost to the Zambian taxpayers.

It also raises a lot of suspicious as to why the President could secretly disband a Committee handling a such a document of national importance when it was publicly appointed and the Zambian people are expectant that the end of the Committee’s work would be publicly made and appreciated by the President at the time of the handover of the final draft constitution.

It is such covet actions on the constitution making process by the government that has eroded public confidence and credibility in the entire process.

We pray that the dissolution of the TCDZC will now pave way for a clear roadmap, fast tracked release of the final draft constitution to the Zambian people and further ensure speedy enactment of a new people driven constitution.

The release of the draft constitution would help Zambians engage in meaningful debate and dialogue in the process based on contents without which, dialogue on the constitution will be an academic exercise.

Signed:

McDonald Chipenzi

Executive Director