Maravi

Constitution process no academic exercise - civil society

Constitution process no academic exercise - civil society
By Brina Manenga-Siwale in Livingstone
Sun 28 Oct. 2012, 13:30 CAT

THE constitution-making process should not be an academic exercise but should bring forth a document driven by the people, says Livingstone Civil Society Forum chairperson Norman Mubita.

Mubita, in an interview, said Zambians had seen enough constitution-making processes in the last few years and were yearning for a good constitution.

He said it was impressive that the consultative forums on the constitution-making process had so far been transparent.

Mubita hoped that the submissions made on the constitution in various parts of the country would be heard by the technical committee drafting the document.

"We don't want this to end as an academic exercise because there has been so much of these constitution-making processes.

So far we have not seen a constitution that reflects the people's wishes," he said.

"We have repeatedly said that this is not an academic exercise because it is a very expensive exercise. At the end of the day we want a people-driven constitution."

Mubita said the technical committee had an opportunity to come up with the best constitution in the country because many people had been incorporated.

"So far the process is very good. The consultative forum has incorporated many strategic organisations where they have sat and brought out their views and what they would want to see in the constitution. Hopefully their submissions are going to be heard. It has been transparent and I hope we can get the desired results," said Mubita.

Labels: CONSTITUTION, NORMAN MUBITA

posted by MrK @ 10:55 PM