Zambia's Parliament has successfully passed the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 7 of 2025, a development that has garnered significant national attention due to the rare display of bipartisan unity it received. The Bill secured approval with support from both the ruling United Party for National Development (UPND) and several opposition Members of Parliament, signalling a moment where national interest transcended typical party affiliations. A total of 135 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the Bill at its Third Reading, with presidential assent expected within 21 days.

The UPND has indicated that the collaborative approach used to rally parliamentary support for Bill No. 7 will serve as a blueprint for engaging Zambians ahead of the 2026 General Elections. According to UPND Deputy Secretary General, Gertrude Imenda, the party is confident that its policies and consultative governance style will resonate with citizens. Ms. Imenda highlighted that the cross-party support for Bill 7 demonstrates that leaders can prioritize policies beneficial to the people, leading to national consensus. She emphasized that Bill No. 7 is not merely a UPND agenda but legislation crafted to serve the collective interests of all Zambians, and the party is committed to applying the same level of consultation and engagement in its preparations for the upcoming elections, upholding inclusive governance and issue-based politics.

The passage of Bill 7 is hailed as a significant step towards political maturity and institutional strengthening. When opposition MPs align with the government on constitutional amendments, it underscores the recognition that certain reforms are indispensable for the nation's welfare, irrespective of political leanings. This cross-party consensus enhances the Bill’s legitimacy and assures citizens of Parliament's capacity to build consensus on critical national issues. The Bill is designed to address persistent constitutional and governance challenges, offering several anticipated benefits:

• Improved Representation: It aims to realign representation with Zambia’s growing population, ensuring that citizens in rapidly expanding areas have better access to parliamentary representation and more effective advocacy.
• Strengthening Democratic Governance: Through proposed constitutional refinements, Bill 7 seeks to fortify democratic institutions by clarifying procedures, particularly concerning elections and governance timelines, thereby reducing conflict and promoting stability.
• Inclusive Political Participation: Supporters argue it establishes a foundation for a more inclusive political system, enhancing prospects for increased representation of women, youth, and other underrepresented groups in governance structures.
• Electoral Certainty and Stability: By resolving ambiguities in electoral and constitutional processes, the Bill is expected to foster smoother electoral cycles, minimize litigation, and boost public confidence in democratic outcomes.
• National Unity and Confidence: The bipartisan passage itself sends a powerful message of unity, fostering confidence in Parliament as a national institution committed to development and stability.

Honourable Sunday Chanda, Member of Parliament for Kanchibiya, provided a personal account of his decision to support Bill 7. Guided by the principle of serving his constituents and Zambia, he noted Kanchibiya's vast, predominantly rural nature, which makes access to leadership and services challenging for a single MP. His support for the Bill was significantly influenced by the proposed delimitation of Kanchibiya into two constituencies. This division is expected to lead to closer representation, better service delivery, increased resources for community development (including youth and women's initiatives), and enhanced participation in governance, ensuring every voice in Kanchibiya is heard. Hon. Chanda acknowledged that while not all MPs voted similarly, each made their decision based on conviction, affirming his own unwavering commitment to his constituents' development.

Adding a judicial dimension to the process, the Constitutional Court dismissed an application for a conservatory order to halt the process and substance of Constitution Amendment Bill No. 7. The application, filed by the Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) and five other petitioners including the Non-Governmental Organisations Coordinating Committee for Gender and Development (NGOCC), the three church mother bodies (EFZ, CCZ, ZCCB), and LCK Freedom Foundation Limited (operating under the Oasis Forum), sought to stay the constitutional amendment. Defence counsel Linda Kasonde confirmed the court's ruling that the matter had been "overtaken by events." The Attorney General, Mulilo Kabesha, and Technical Committee Vice Chairperson, Dr. Lindalani Banda, had argued that the renewed application was procedurally flawed due to inordinate delay. Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa later expressed gratitude to LAZ, NGOCC, the Church, and other civil society organisations for their engagement, encouraging their continued role in providing checks and balances, asserting that constructive criticism strengthens democracy.

The government has described the passage of Bill No. 7 as a clear demonstration of Zambia’s vibrant and functioning democracy. Chief Government Spokesperson, Cornelius Mweetwa, stated that the debate, scrutiny, and ultimate passage of the Bill reflected the maturity of Zambia’s democratic system and a collective commitment to constitutionalism and good governance. He emphasized that the process resulted in no winners or losers, but rather a triumph for democracy, with the people of Zambia being the ultimate beneficiaries. Mweetwa specifically highlighted women and young people as key beneficiaries, whose aspirations for inclusion and representation have been recognized. He appealed for calm and unity across the country as the process moves towards presidential assent, commending the peaceful conduct observed throughout.

The UPND Kitwe District Information and Publicity Secretary, Cephas Chisange, cautioned citizens against personal attacks on Members of Parliament who supported Bill 7, reminding everyone of their right to exercise democratic choice and urging against intimidation. Chisange affirmed that the parliamentary proceedings marked a significant milestone, paving the way for increased representation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities. He also reminded opponents that democracy involves both wins and losses, and the outcome does not preclude future collaboration. Chisange commended President Hakainde Hichilema, the Cabinet, MPs, Civil Society Organisations, the Church, UPND members, trade unions, marketeers, bus drivers, and the general citizenry for their unwavering support for Bill 7.

From a political analysis perspective, President Hakainde Hichilema (HH) and the UPND are portrayed as mastering a "long game" strategy, learning from 20 years in opposition. This approach, characterized by silence, careful planning, and master-class execution, is seen as having outmaneuvered opponents, particularly the Patriotic Front (PF). The article suggests that PF miscalculated by attempting to leverage certain events and by exhibiting internal divisions, ultimately failing to prevent the passage of Bill 7, which was seen as a significant victory for the UPND. This success is interpreted as setting "unmatched standards" for current opposition leaders, challenging them to understand the deep-rooted patriotic and unified nature of Zambians that transcends political divides.