Mapani turns up the heat on President Hichilema and Cabinet ‘Bring Back Bill 7”
The Bill, which seeks to address pressing constitutional and governance concerns, was deferred earlier this year following guidance from President Hichilema to Justice Minister Princess Kasune to conduct further consultations with Parliament and other stakeholders.
Mr. Mapani said it is imperative that the Bill be brought back to the House without further delay so that Members of Parliament can debate and approve it in good time.
He has warned that continued postponement could compromise efforts to improve the management of constituencies and the equitable distribution of resources.
“Time is not on our side,” Mr. Mapani said in an interview. “Bill 7, once passed, will address critical issues, including the size and administration of constituencies. Some constituencies are so vast that implementing and benefiting from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has become a serious challenge.”
Mr. Mapani has said that some constituencies, span 212 kilometers by 135 kilometers, making equitable distribution of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) challenging.
“Compared to smaller constituencies, managing a constituency of this size under the current arrangement is extremely difficult,” Mr. Mapani explained. “It is not simply about representation in Parliament. It is about making sure that communities spread across this vast area receive the services, infrastructure, and development projects that are their due.”
He has stressed that the process of delimitation redrawing constituency boundaries to make them more balanced and manageable is central to the objectives of Bill 7.
“I firmly believe this Bill should be brought back to Parliament immediately when we reconvene,” he said. “Delimitation will ensure fairness, encourage healthy competition among MPs, and allow development to reach every corner of Zambia.”
According to Mr. Mapani, the urgency of passing Bill 7 is further underscored by the approach of next year’s general elections.
Without proper delimitation, he has warned, some constituencies may remain too large to serve effectively, while others may continue to enjoy disproportionate access to resources and services.
“With elections fast approaching, we must ensure that constituencies are well-structured and manageable,” he said. “Our citizens deserve to fully benefit from government projects and the Constituency Development Fund. Passing this Bill is not about politics it is about fairness and efficiency in governance.”
Bill 7 of 2025 is a Constitution amendment proposal that contains provisions aimed at addressing structural and administrative gaps within Zambia’s governance system.
The Bill was originally slated for debate in the previous session of Parliament but was put on hold after President Hichilema directed the Justice Minister to allow for wider consultations.
Speaker of the National Assembly Nelly Mutti confirmed earlier this year that the Justice Minister, Princess Kasune, had formally communicated her intention to defer deliberations on the Bill.
The decision followed concerns that additional stakeholder engagement was necessary to ensure that the amendment reflects the will of the Zambian people.
“President Hichilema’s instruction was clear,” Speaker Mutti said at the time. “The constitutional amendment process must be inclusive and consultative.” “Parliament must ensure that every citizen has a voice in shaping the changes that will affect governance for years to come.”
Despite these considerations, Mr. Mapani believes the consultation period has been sufficient and that further delays risk undermining the reforms that Bill 7 seeks to achieve.
He has argued that the House now has an opportunity to demonstrate leadership by debating and passing the Bill without unnecessary postponements.
“This is a chance for Parliament to put the needs of the people first,” Mr. Mapani said. “Every constituency, whether large or small, deserves equal access to development. Passing this Bill will help us deliver on that promise.”
Some stakeholders feel the issue of delimitation has been a recurring topic in Zambia’s governance discourse. Vast constituencies, particularly in rural provinces, often face unique challenges such as poor road networks, inadequate communication infrastructure, and limited government presence. These factors make it harder for MPs to engage consistently with their constituents and for government programmes to have a uniform impact.
Political analysts have also noted that equitable constituency boundaries are vital for ensuring that elections are competitive, representative, and credible. A well-managed delimitation process can reduce voter disenfranchisement, enhance accountability, and strengthen the link between MPs and the communities they represent.
As the September sitting of Parliament draws near, all eyes will be on the Executive to determine whether Bill 7 will indeed be placed back on the Order Paper.
Should the Bill return to the House, debate is expected to be robust, reflecting both the political stakes and the practical implications of constitutional reform.
For now, Mr. Mapani remains firm in his appeal to President Hichilema and his Cabinet: “Let’s give this Bill the attention it deserves. Let’s not waste any more time. Zambia needs these reforms today not tomorrow.”
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