Veteran Politician, Vernon Mwaanga has bemoaned the low representation of women in political leadership positions.

 

Mr Mwaanga has since submitted that 50 parliamentary seats should be created for women only, in order to guarantee their participation in decision-making positions.

 

He has noted that countries like Rwanda with good women representation, have been achieved by decree and not the democratic process.

 

Mr Mwaanga said this when he made his submission as a senior citizen before the Technical Committee on the Constitutional Amendment, in Lusaka.

 

“During the 2021 general election, we had 7, 023 000 registered voters. 53.4 percent were women and 46.70 percent were men. Out of the 156 Constituencies, only 25 women were elected to Parliament. In my view Mr Chairman, this is a national disgrace”, he lamented.

 

Among other submissions, Mr Mwaanga also recommended the retention of the two, five year terms for a president as well as the presidential running mate clause.

 

He explained that the latter will help the country avoid costs associated with by-elections.

 

And a political activist, Dante Saunders proposed for the removal of presidential immunity, immediately a head of State leaves office.

 

He added that a period of 90 days should be allocated for the removed immunity to allow for any issues to be addressed, after which, immunity should be restored.

 

He further proposed for the electorate to be empowered to re-call non-performing Members of Parliament and councillors.

 

Also among those who submitted was GEARS, a civil society organisation which recommended the constitutianalisation of the position of National Coordinator for Smart Zambia.

 

“This will help improve service delivery, transparency and accountability, ultimately reducing any opportunities for corruption”, Executive Director, Patrick Kaumba emphasised.