Western Province Residents Launch Constitutional Petition

ZANIS -Residents of Western Province have launched a campaign to petition the Speaker of the National Assembly and elected Members of Parliament to remove the two-term limit for the Presidency. Project 2090 Chairperson SUZYO NG’UNI said the campaign follows concerns that the proposed Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 7 does not provide term limits for Mayors, Council Chairpersons, Members of Parliament and Councillors. Speaking during the launch of Project 2090 in Mongu, Mr NG’UNI said residents in the province believe the Presidential term limit should also be removed to ensure consistency in the proposed constitutional reforms. He said residents intend to engage the Speaker of the National Assembly and Members of Parliament through a petition to advance their position on the matter. Meanwhile, UPND Deputy Media Director SIKWINDI SITULA said the party neither endorses nor rejects the position advanced by residents in Western Province, but respects their democratic right to express their views. Mr SITULA said citizens are free to raise concerns and express their opinions within the confines of the law, adding that the party cannot suppress democratic rights. He said the UPND will not only consider views from Western Province but will also take into account opinions from other parts of the country as discussions on the proposed constitutional amendments continue. Mr SITULA added that the party recognises the importance of allowing citizens to participate freely in democratic discourse and have their voices heard on matters of national interest.