LUSAKA, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Opposition parties in Zambia said Monday they will not support the process of amending the constitution if the government insists on presenting a bill to parliament for the purpose.
Last week, Justice Minister Given Lubinda commissioned a two-phased constitution refinement roadmap adopted by the cabinet to address the lacunas and inconsistencies in the current document.
He said the process, which would commence next month and last until June, would include parliamentary sessions with various stakeholders before coming up with a bill to be presented to parliament.
But Hakainde Hichilema, leader of the main opposition United Party for National Development (UPND), said his lawmakers will not support the constitution amendment bill when it is taken to parliament.
It is clear that the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) is trying to run away from dealing with contentious issues through national dialogue, Hichilema told reporters during a press briefing of an alliance of oppositions, adding constitution refinement should be part of the national dialogue process.
Chishimba Kambwili, leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress, said it was clear that the governing party was abrogating an earlier agreement by all political parties to tackle contentious issues through national dialogue.
He said stakeholders had agreed the constitution, as well as the controversial public order law, which governs public processions and gatherings, should be key issues to be tackled during the national dialogue.
