November 3rd, 2025-Chiefs in Luapula Province have made several recommendations to the Technical Committee on Amendments to the Constitution.
During their submissions held at Mansa Lodge today, their Royal Highnesses recommended that the dissolution of Parliament three months before the general elections be upheld as stipulated in the current Constitution. They further proposed that election petitions be heard and concluded within the same 90-day period as currently provided.
The traditional leaders also recommended that fresh nominations should only be allowed in the event of a candidate’s death. They stated that if a candidate resigns, no fresh nominations should be permitted, instead, the nominations should continue and the candidate who resigns should be arrested and punished.
Additionally, the Chiefs proposed that By-Elections should only be held in cases of death and where a candidate resigns, the second runner-up should take up the position.
The Chiefs further recommended that there should be no time limit for Members of Parliament to serve and that the number of MPs appointed by the President should remain at the current eight. They also suggested that MPs should be allowed to sit in council meetings.
Regarding the qualifications for Secretary to the Cabinet, the traditional leaders recommended that the current requirement of 10 years of experience be reduced to five (5) years.
On the positions of Attorney General and Solicitor General, the Chiefs proposed that both should remain in office even after the dissolution of Parliament, until a new President is sworn in.
They also emphasized that women and youth leaders should be elected by the people, just like all other leaders and supported maintaining the definition of a child as a person aged 18 years and below.
In closing, Luapula Province Chiefs Council Vice Chairperson, Chief Nsamba, expressed hope that the traditional leaders’ submissions will be considered in the constitutional amendment process.
Meanwhile, Technical Committee team leader Mr. Rabbison Chongo thanked the traditional leaders for their resolutions and their understanding of the process.
