SABOI IMBOELA WELCOMES CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS BUT URGES POSTPONEMENT UNTIL AFTER ELECTIONS

The President of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Saboi Imboela, has shown a positive attitude towards the suggested constitutional amendments, but she is asking the government to wait until after the 2026 general elections to put them into action.

In a chat with Kalemba, Imboela recognized the good intentions behind many of the proposed changes, mentioning that they could help make Zambia’s democracy stronger and encourage inclusive governance. However, she expressed worries about the timing of these reforms, cautioning that making such big changes so close to an election might not give the public enough time to really understand and engage with the process.

“Many of the proposed provisions are positive and could enhance democratic governance in Zambia,” Imboela said.

“But rushing their implementation now could undermine their effectiveness and alienate citizens who may not fully understand the implications.”

She specifically pointed out the introduction of proportional representation as a hopeful step, noting its success in improving representation for women and other marginalized groups in democracies worldwide.

“Proportional representation has proven effective in boosting women’s participation in politics, which in turn enriches democratic processes by ensuring a broader spectrum of voices is heard,” she explained.

Imboela emphasized the importance of including more women, youth, and people with disabilities in politics, calling it essential for building a fair and truly representative society.

“When governance structures reflect the diversity of our population, we are better positioned to craft policies that respond to the real needs of all citizens,” she added.

Even though she supports the ideas behind the amendments, Imboela pointed out that the current economic difficulties and the upcoming elections make it a bad time to move forward with constitutional changes. She expressed her concerns about this situation.