UPND plans to abolish presidential term limit – Hapunda

By BARNABAS ZULU A POLITICAL activist Brian Hapunda has accused the United Party for National Development (UPND) of planning to amend the Constitution to remove the presidential two-term limit and extend the powers of the presidency. Mr Hapunda has also warned that Zambia risks becoming a one-party state, alleging that the UPND will use its parliamentary majority to push through constitutional amendments that could weaken the democratic space. “Zambians must not expect much national development in the second term of President Hakainde Hichilema and the UPND government,” Mr Hapunda said. He alleged that the government’s focus during President Hichilema’s second term would be on shrinking the democratic space and weakening the opposition. “UPND government and President Hichilema will be more preoccupied with shrinking our democratic space further by making sure that the opposition is completely erased on Zambian soil,” he said. Mr Hapunda alleged that opposition leaders, supporters and citizens critical of the government would face arrests and prosecution. He also claimed that the UPND would embark on a major constitutional overhaul aimed at giving more powers to the presidency and enabling the ruling party to remain in power. According to Mr Hapunda, one of the key proposed constitutional changes would be the removal of the two-term presidential limit. He claimed that this would allow a sitting president to seek a third, fourth, fifth or even sixth term in office, provided the president continued to receive support from his or her political party. Mr Hapunda also alleged that the UPND intends to amend the constitutional provision on the presidential running mate. He said the proposed change would give the president powers to appoint and dismiss the Vice-President, instead of the current arrangement where the running mate is elected together with the presidential candidate. Mr Hapunda warned Zambians to be vigilant over any proposed constitutional amendments, saying the country’s democratic institutions could be weakened if such changes were pushed through without broad public consultation. Ends.

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